US drone manufacturer Powerus has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Pakistan Army covering unmanned aerial systems and an initial, undisclosed order, as Islamabad seeks to expand its defence technology capabilities and strengthen ties with Washington.
The agreement was signed in Islamabad on Wednesday by Powerus and representatives of the Pakistan Army. The company said the deal provides a framework for future cooperation, including potential joint ventures aimed at producing drone technology locally in Pakistan.
Powerus co-founder Brett Velicovich said the initial order involved unmanned aerial systems, but the company declined to disclose the number of systems, their value or specific technical details, citing security and confidentiality concerns. The Pakistan military has confirmed that its leadership met a Powerus delegation to discuss defence procurement, production and long-term capacity building, although its statement did not publicly mention the memorandum.
The agreement comes as Pakistan works to strengthen its defence relationship with the United States following years of strained ties. Islamabad is seeking greater access to American defence technology while also looking to develop domestic manufacturing capabilities.
Powerus is particularly notable because it is preparing to merge with publicly traded Aureus Greenway Holdings, a company backed by US President Donald Trump’s sons, Donald Trump Jr and Eric Trump. The Trump brothers hold an indirect stake in Aureus through an investment fund known as American Ventures. The proposed merger is expected to be completed in early October.
The involvement of the Trump family has drawn attention to the agreement, although representatives for Donald Trump Jr have said his investment is passive and that he has no role in Powerus’s management, operations or contract negotiations. The White House has also said there are no conflicts of interest.
Powerus said it sees Pakistan as a potential location for developing a broader technology and manufacturing partnership. The company has expressed interest in combining US drone technology with Pakistani industrial capabilities and eventually producing some systems locally.
The company provides aerial and maritime drones for military and industrial applications. It has also developed drone interceptors designed to counter unmanned aircraft and recently secured a $90 million contract to supply interceptors to the US Air Force.
For Pakistan, the agreement could help diversify its sources of defence technology. China currently accounts for roughly 80 per cent of Pakistan’s defence imports by volume, according to data cited in the latest reporting. Islamabad’s interest in additional suppliers comes amid efforts to strengthen its air-defence capabilities and expand domestic defence production.
The deal also reflects the wider improvement in US-Pakistan relations, with both countries exploring greater cooperation in defence and economic sectors.
However, the immediate commercial value of the Powerus agreement remains unclear because neither the size of the initial order nor its financial terms have been disclosed.
The proposed local manufacturing partnership could ultimately prove more significant than the initial order if it develops into a long-term arrangement involving technology transfer, production and export opportunities.
For now, the agreement marks a new step in Pakistan’s efforts to build its unmanned systems capability while giving Powerus an opportunity to expand its presence in a strategically important market.
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