---
title: "Drone Diplomacy: How Ukraine Bypasses Bans and Captures the US Market"
description: "Ukrainian drones are already in the US: how business bypasses bureaucracy and creates joint production. Exclusive on Drone Deals and new strategic alliances. 🇺🇦🇺🇸🚁"
date: 2026-05-27T06:30:00.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/ukrainian-drones-in-the-us-expertise-and-joint-production
tags: []
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Drone Diplomacy: How Ukraine Bypasses Bans and Captures the US Market

![Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles in a field next to a remote control](https://xab.info/media/2026/05/27/ukrainskie-drony-v-ssha-ekspertizy-i-sovmestnoe-proizvodstvo/ukrainskie-drony-v-pole-testirovanie.webp)

While political scientists debate the dates for signing official memoranda, Ukrainian engineers are already doing their work. Arms exports to the US are not standing still: instead of waiting for the "green light" from bureaucrats, Ukrainian developers are integrating into the American defense industry through direct partnerships and joint production.

Ihor Fedirko, Executive Director of the Ukrainian Association of Weapons Manufacturers, honestly admits that there is currently no formal corridor for exporting weapons to the States. However, reality is overtaking protocols. Connections are being built at the business level: from technical consultations to preparing for the localization of components and the creation of joint ventures.

A bright example of such a pragmatic approach is the partnership between the Ukrainian company "General Cherehnya" and the American giant Wilcox Industries. The parties have agreed to launch the production of FPV drones and interceptors right in New Hampshire. The scheme is simple and effective: Americans provide the capacity, while Ukrainians provide the technology, engineering experience, and, most importantly, combat application.

Parallel work is underway within the framework of the Drone Dominance program. This is a kind of "Oscar" for drone builders, where Ukrainian startups have already proven their viability. According to Fedirko, some companies have not only passed the selection but have won, although the bureaucratic barrier to entry proved to be a serious test for many. The second stage of the competition is already in full swing, and the third is expected within six months.

This trend confirms President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's thesis on the Drone Deals format. Ukraine is ready to export not just "hardware," but technologies and competencies. With a surplus of capacity of 50% for certain items, Kyiv has already received interest from 20 countries, and the first contracts are being prepared for implementation. Drone diplomacy proves that when political frameworks have not yet been drawn, business builds bridges itself.