The Ukrainian defense-tech company “General Chereshnya” has signed a strategic partnership agreement with the U.S.-based Wilcox Industries to establish a joint venture for unmanned system production in the United States, the company announced on March 30.
The joint manufacturing operation is planned at Wilcox’s production facility in Newington, New Hampshire. The venture will combine Ukrainian combat-tested experience and engineering with U.S. manufacturing infrastructure and market access. The Ukrainian team will lead the development efforts.
As part of the partnership, the companies plan to produce FPV drones and interceptor drones, with a particular focus on interceptors as a more complex and technologically advanced segment. Co-founder Yaroslav Hryshyn noted that this area has already become one of “General Chereshnya’s” flagship lines.
The project is not yet finalized and remains in the approval phase. Launching the joint venture requires authorization from the President of Ukraine and relevant government agencies, although, according to the company, the process is already being coordinated at a high level and has political support.
Wilcox Industries, founded in 1982, is a U.S.-based company specializing in high-tech equipment for military and security forces. “General Chereshnya,” established in 2023, has quickly become one of Ukraine’s largest producers of next-generation drones.
As of 2026, the company manufactures over 70,000 drones per month, offers 33 codified products, and reports having neutralized enemy equipment valued at approximately $1 billion. Its portfolio includes FPV drones and interceptor models such as Bullet and AIR, which are actively used on the front lines, including for countering hostile UAVs.
The agreement with Wilcox aligns with a broader strategy for Ukrainian miltech companies to enter global markets. “General Chereshnya” has previously participated in the Drone Dominance Program, a $1.1 billion initiative that could provide access to U.S. Department of Defense contracts. However, the U.S. market remains challenging due to high entry barriers and strict requirements for defense suppliers.
At the same time, the expansion of Ukrainian arms exports is constrained by domestic procedures, as each deal requires separate government approvals. Some contracts are consequently delayed, and experts warn of the risk of losing a portion of the rapidly growing market.
From a strategic perspective, the agreement represents the localization of Ukrainian military technologies in the United States, integration into Western defense supply chains, and potential access to the world’s largest defense procurement market. It also reflects a shift in Ukraine’s role, increasingly positioning the country not only as a recipient of assistance but also as a provider of advanced solutions for modern warfare.
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Source: Facebook
