The United States will purchase drones from Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has tasked Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Rustem Umerov, Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal, and Presidential Strategic Adviser Oleksandr Kamyshin to prepare contracts worth $10 billion, $20 billion, and $30 billion in exchange for modern U.S. weapons. Such reciprocal defense agreements are common in the U.S. For example, in the 2000s, the U.S. purchased PZL M28 Skytruck aircraft from Poland through the Military Assistance and Cooperation Program. Years later, it agreed to provide Poland with F-16 fighter jets.

Defense departments worldwide are increasingly paying attention to Ukraine’s experience in drone production and counter-drone technologies. The Ukrainian defense industry is expected to announce new developments this fall, supported by several Western countries.

Zelensky said in a Thursday conversation with reporters: “Next, we have reached an agreement with the United States and with President Trump that they will purchase drones from us. We have already concluded such an agreement. I have assigned tasks to Umerov, Shmyhal, and Kamyshin. They will handle this matter well. It is very important to prepare this serious contract worth $10 billion, $20 billion, or $30 billion.”

On July 16, Zelensky stated that the United States wants to buy Ukrainian drones, and Ukraine is also interested in purchasing weapons to build an air defense system.

Zelensky said in an interview with Newsmax in Kyiv: “There are many drones that only we have. We are discussing this issue with President Trump. I told him that I really want to buy from you things that only you have. He told me that the United States wants to buy Ukrainian drones… I really hope the United States can help us protect American airspace, which is very important.”