Ukrainian FPV Giant Partners to Build Drones in the U.S.

One of Ukraine's largest drone makers, General Cherry, has signed a deal to produce unmanned aerial vehicles in the U.S., the company announced.

FPV (first-person view) drones and interceptor maker General Cherry reached an agreement with American military producer Wilcox Industries to build the latter's drones in the former's factories in New Hampshire.

"We are pleased to have the unique opportunity to build production together, which will manufacture the newest means of defence and striking," General Cherry co-founder Yaroslav Hryshyn said in a statement. "First of all we are focusing on interceptor drones as our flagship product."  

Founded in September 2023, General Cherry is a striking example of the rapid growth of a new generation of Ukrainian miltech companies since Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022.

A company representative told the Kyiv Independent that the production launch date will depend on ongoing negotiations with the Ukrainian government.

The partnership involves the deployment of production of FPV drones and interceptors directly in the United States. The Ukrainian side will provide combat experience and technological developments, and the American partner will provide a scientific and technical base.

"The key goal of the partnership is to significantly improve and develop Ukrainian means and technologies, using the best developments and scientific and technical base of the partner. We will use all possible technical and component means to jointly create the best drones in the world," General Chereshnya reported.

The joint venture will be focused primarily on the American market and fulfilling Pentagon orders. At the same time, the partners do not plan to limit themselves to these areas, considering supplies to other countries.

To comply with US legal and security requirements, the parties agreed to localize component production on American territory. In addition, the project provides for full compliance of products with all standards of the American market.

In particular, certification according to Blue UAS standards is planned, which is critically important for the official use of drones by US government agencies.

“We are very excited and proud to partner with General Chereshnya. Working with a company that has faced the impossible and risen to the challenge when Ukraine’s sovereignty was at stake is exactly the spirit Wilcox wants to be a part of. For me, it has been a life’s work to build Wilcox from nothing but a vision. I have no doubt that combining our Wilcox manufacturing capabilities and engineering resources with General Chereshnya’s technology will bring significant benefits to the United States,”

said James Titzel, founder and CEO of Wilcox Industries.

Currently, the project is entering the approval phase. By the time the joint venture is registered, the parties must receive support from the head of state and relevant institutions. According to a representative of General Chereshnya, they are currently working with the Ukrainian government and president, and the entire process has been approved by the highest representative office.

General Cherry makes the Bullet interceptor drone as well as a massive number of FPVs. The company also participated in the "Gauntlet" contest to sell drones to the Pentagon as part of the Drone Dominance Program.

The deal resembles a series of "Build With Ukraine" agreements that put Ukrainian weapons producers into European factories. The Ukrainian government has promoted a network of export offices in cities such as Copenhagen and Berlin.

Sources: MILITARNYI; Kyiv Independent