US-Ukraine Drone Agreement
US and Ukraine Near Drone Defense Agreement Amid Massive Wartime Production
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Key Points
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Ukraine’s expected production of 10 million drones this year contrasts with the U.S. Army’s acquisition of about 50,000 drones last year, illustrating the scale of Ukraine’s wartime manufacturing effort.
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Deborah Fairlamb of Green Flag Ventures said Western countries need to acquire not only Ukrainian drone technology but also the operational expertise behind it: “It’s not just like it’s a rifle that you just point and shoot.”
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The auto-follow buying guide distinguishes auto-follow drones, which can follow a signal without using a camera, from tracking drones, which recognize and keep a person or object in frame.
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For photography, the guide says 4K video is the professional standard, while 1080p may be adequate for basic surveying or family use; it also recommends considering frame rate, megapixels, storage capacity and whether the camera uses a gimbal.
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The beginner-drone market is affected by U.S. restrictions on new foreign drones: Jalopnik reports that the FCC has banned the sale of new foreign drones in the United States, although existing models may still be sold.
The United States and Ukraine are close to finalizing a drone-defense agreement that could transform military manufacturing, IBTimes reported. The deal would expand Ukrainian defense-technology production in the U.S. and share Ukraine's hard-won operational expertise. Ukraine plans to manufacture 10 million drones this year — a scale that dwarfs the U.S. Army's purchase of roughly 50,000 drones last year.
Ukraine has also deployed the Pelican, a newly revealed long-range strike drone with an estimated range of 800 to 1,000 kilometers and a 90- to 100-kilogram warhead, according to The Guardian. The agreement talks have also covered Patriot interceptor production and possible de-escalation measures with President Donald Trump.
Ukraine's Drone Manufacturing Explosion
Ukraine's drone production has reached industrial scale. The country expects to build 10 million drones this year, IBTimes reported. This vastly exceeds U.S. military procurement — the Army bought only about 50,000 drones last year. The gap shows how warfare has shifted toward mass-produced unmanned systems.
But production numbers alone won't transfer power. Deborah Fairlamb of Green Flag Ventures emphasized that Western nations must acquire both Ukrainian drone technology and the tactical knowledge behind it. "It's not just like it's a rifle that you just point and shoot," she said. Ukraine's three years of continuous combat have built expertise no factory can replicate overnight.
New Strike Drones Enter Ukraine's Arsenal
Ukraine has added the Pelican to its growing drone fleet, The Guardian reported. The long-range strike UAV carries a 90- to 100-kilogram warhead and can fly 800 to 1,000 kilometers — deep into enemy territory. The design remains classified, but the range suggests Ukraine is developing weapons to match Russia's long-range capabilities.
Ukraine also fields the Fire Point FP-2, a mini monoplane with a six-meter wingspan and over 100 kilograms of explosives. These platforms represent a shift away from small commercial drones toward purpose-built weapons. The variety of drone types — small surveillance craft, medium loitering weapons, and large strike systems — gives Ukraine tactical flexibility.
The U.S. Drone Market Faces Foreign Restrictions
The U.S. consumer drone market is shrinking due to new FCC restrictions. Jalopnik reported that the FCC has banned the sale of new foreign drones in the United States, though existing models may still be sold. This affects consumer buyers seeking beginner models below $500 with basic features like 1080p cameras and GPS stabilization.
For those buying drones, auto-follow models automatically track a signal without using cameras, while tracking drones use machine vision to recognize and frame people or objects. Professional photographers typically demand 4K video, but 1080p suffices for surveying or family use. Key features include frame rate, megapixels, storage, and whether the camera uses a gimbal for smooth footage.
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