US, Ukraine Draft Drone Defense Deal After Iran War

The US and Ukraine have drafted a memorandum outlining a potential defense agreement focused on drone production and military technology cooperation, according to NBC News. The draft, prepared by the US State Department and Ukraine’s Ambassador to Washington Olha Stefanishyna, would allow Ukraine to export military technologies to the US and establish joint drone manufacturing ventures with American firms. Discussions accelerated after Ukraine provided drone interceptors and trained operators to US allies during the recent Iran conflict, countering Iranian-designed Shahed drones. Ukraine has already signed multiple defense agreements, dubbed 'Drone Deals,' with Gulf states, with President Volodymyr Zelensky stating nearly 20 countries are involved, including four signed agreements. Ukrainian officials seek US financing to expand defense production capacity, aiming for $55 billion in defense equipment output by 2026, though current funding covers only $15 billion in weapons purchases this year. One Ukrainian company plans to manufacture over 3 million first-person view (FPV) drones in 2026, compared to approximately 300,000 produced in the US in 2025. Political resistance within the Pentagon and White House had previously stalled broader defense cooperation, but recent developments suggest obstacles are easing. The US military has begun using Ukrainian-developed anti-drone technology, Sky Map, at Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, with Ukrainian personnel training US forces on its operation. Sky Map integrates radar and sensor data to detect drone threats, including Iranian Shahed drones. The memorandum follows reports that Moscow may supply Iran with thousands of advanced drones and train Iranian forces to use them against US and allied forces in the Persian Gulf. Zelensky previously proposed a 'drone mega deal' with Washington in late 2025, but it gained momentum only after the Iran conflict highlighted Ukraine’s drone expertise.