Trump-linked startup secures Pakistan drone contract, sparking US arms policy debate

Powerus, a Florida defence start-up barely a year old, secured a memorandum of understanding and a limited purchase of unmanned aerial systems from Pakistan’s Ministry of Defence during a September visit led by co-founder Brett Velicovich, a former US Army special-operations intelligence analyst. The company, which owns a majority stake in Powerus USA—a venture with Wyoming-based G1 Exploration that adapts Ukrainian drone technology—said the order is modest but signals a framework for broader cooperation in autonomous systems.

Powerus recently went public after merging with Aureus Greenway Holdings, giving Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump an indirect 9.9% holding. Analysts note the unusual chain of Ukrainian tech, US corporate structure, and potential transfer to Pakistan, a nation already expanding its own drone fleet. The move also draws attention because Powerus has licensed its Guardian counter-drone interceptor to Paras Defence and Space Technologies in India, meaning the same US firm is now pursuing defence projects with both historic rivals. Indian officials view the development with concern, fearing it could indicate a gradual revival of US-Pakistan military ties that have been largely dormant for two decades.