Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that the US is testing Ukrainian-made aerial and maritime drones, receiving 'very positive feedback'. This development is a significant step forward in a long-stalled drone-production deal between the two countries.
The deal, valued at $35-50 billion, would set up a 50-50 production venture with the US, drawing on up to 200 Ukrainian companies. Zelenskyy pointed to Ukraine's defense industry being 'at NATO level, and already one of the best'.
The progress on the drone deal comes as Ukraine faces a shortage of Patriot interceptors, which has been exacerbated by the US-Israeli war with Iran. The Ukrainian air defenses have been rationing interceptors, but have still managed to down roughly 92% of the Shahed drones launched by Russia in May.
