Drone Deal Expands to 20 Countries: What Experts Have to Say
11 May 18:39
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Ukraine is working on defense agreements with about 20 countries as part of the Drone Deal program for the joint development of defense technologies. Four of these agreements have already been signed, and the first contracts are currently being drafted. This was announced by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy following a report by National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov, according to
“Rustem reported separately and in detail on contacts with countries interested in Drone Deals with Ukraine. About 20 countries are already involved at various stages: four agreements have already been signed, and the first contracts are being prepared under these agreements; with other countries, preparatory procedures are underway for political agreements that will pave the way for business,” the President stated.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy added that Ukraine is preparing new security agreements within the framework of Drone Deals with yet another region of the world.
“In addition to the Middle East and the Gulf, the South Caucasus, and Europe, we will soon launch such new security cooperation under the Drone Deals with yet another part of the world,” he said.
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As reported in a comment
“Therefore, in any case, if it comes down to practical matters—and that is the key point, not just the signing of agreements as a political formality—then we can say that this is a significant success for the Ukrainian defense industry,” the expert notes.
As an example of a purely political agreement with no practical consequences, Snegirev cites Ukraine’s agreement with France to supply 100 aircraft. In November, Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that the agreement between France and Ukraine provides for Kyiv’s purchase of 100 Rafale fighter jets.
“This is purely a political component with no practical significance. In other words, the French don’t have 100 planes, we don’t have the money for 100 planes, but the agreement exists. That’s the main point. If this is yet another attempt to simply demonstrate Ukraine’s unconditional breakthrough—albeit in a political context—then, unfortunately, we’ll be left with what we have. In other words, this will have no practical results for the Ukrainian defense industry,” the expert explains.
However, as Snegirev noted, cooperation with Alliance countries is beneficial. Because in this way, Ukraine, without being a NATO member, integrates into NATO structures. And Alliance countries are currently interested in exchanging with the Armed Forces of Ukraine regarding the practical application of innovative technologies. In particular, this refers to the so-called drone wall tactic, involving both ground-based and airborne components.
As a reminder, the Drone Deal is a framework for long-term cooperation between Ukraine and its partners, which involves the joint production of drones and other defense technologies, the export of Ukrainian weapons, the construction of production lines, the joint development of new technologies, and the financing of defense projects. According to information from the Office of the President, the Drone Deal also includes a system for protection against massive attacks, which incorporates drones, air defense systems, and electronic warfare capabilities.
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