UFORCE partners with Oregon shipbuilder to produce Ukrainian drone boats for U.S. military
UFORCE signed a deal with Portland-based ReconCraft to manufacture its Magura autonomous surface vessels in the United States for the U.S. armed forces.
UFORCE, the Ukrainian developer of the Magura family of autonomous surface vessels credited with sinking over a dozen Russian warships, has entered a manufacturing pact with American boat maker ReconCraft. The Oregon-based company will produce the 20- to 25-foot hulls at its Portland facility, while UFORCE will integrate the drones, explosives or AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles that give the craft their striking capability. Sean Plankey, UFORCE’s U.S. CEO, described the partnership as possibly one of the most consequential for the security of Western allies in the United States.
He noted Ukraine’s rapid “combat speed” development cycle, contrasting it with the slower U.S. defense acquisition process. This deal marks the first of what could become multiple U.S.-Ukrainian defense contracts, coinciding with recent high-level discussions between President Donald Trump and President Volodymyr Zelensky on licensing Patriot interceptor production and other cooperation. Pentagon officials, including Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, have voiced support for encouraging innovative smaller contractors in autonomous warfare.
Why it matters
U.S. production of Ukraine-designed drone boats adds a proven autonomous weapon to American forces and deepens bilateral defense ties.
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