Ukraine and US sign key statement of intent on drone cooperation
Ukraine and the United States have signed a statement of intent that lays the groundwork for an unprecedented defence partnership and allows Ukrainian drones to be exported to the US for military testing.
Source: Radio Liberty correspondent Alex Raufoglu, citing anonymous sources; European Pravda
Details: The bilateral statement of intent, formally signed by Washington and Kyiv, establishes a framework for future drone cooperation and is the first agreement of its kind between the two countries, sources told Raufoglu.
"The deal has been sealed," one official told Raufoglu on 21 July on condition of anonymity. "It's been signed by both sides," another source confirms.
The move marks a significant breakthrough after months of negotiations aimed at deepening defence-industrial cooperation. The Pentagon is seeking rapid access to Ukrainian battlefield innovations developed over the course of years of full-scale war with Russia.
The agreement is expected to create a formal pathway for Ukrainian ground, aerial and maritime drones to be exported to the US for military testing and evaluation, potentially influencing future Pentagon procurement requirements.
Although the statement of intent is not itself a production contract, it is seen as the first concrete step towards broader cooperation that could eventually include the joint production of combat drones in the United States.
According to Radio Liberty, the agreement will allow the US military to request specific Ukrainian drone platforms for testing and evaluation rather than operational deployment.
Background:
- In May, media reports indicated that the US and Ukrainian governments had prepared a draft memorandum setting out the terms of a potential new defence agreement between the two countries concerning drones.
- During the NATO summit in Ankara on 7 July, US President Donald Trump said that the US would buy drones from Ukraine.
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