UFORCE, a Ukrainian company, has reached an agreement with American manufacturer ReconCraft to produce autonomous drone boats in the United States for the U.S. military. The Magura drone boats, developed by UFORCE, have been utilized by Ukrainian forces to target Russian naval vessels and aircraft in the Black Sea. The deal aims to enhance the capabilities of U.S. military assets and is seen as a significant partnership for defense collaboration between Ukraine and the United States.
The Magura drone boats, which range from 20 to 25 feet in length, can operate autonomously for up to 800 nautical miles. Some models are equipped with drones that can launch from the vessel, while others can carry explosives or missiles. The production will take place at ReconCraft's facility in Portland, Oregon, although ReconCraft will not manufacture the drones themselves.
UFORCE's CEO for the U.S., Sean Plankey, highlighted the rapid development and deployment of defense technologies by Ukraine since the onset of the conflict with Russia in 2022. He noted that this partnership could lead to further agreements between U.S. and Ukrainian defense companies, with discussions ongoing about Ukraine sharing its drone technology with the U.S. Additionally, during a recent NATO summit, U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky discussed the potential for Ukraine to produce its own Patriot missile interceptors to bolster its air defense capabilities.