US drone maker Powerus signs MoU with army

Agreement includes initial drone-related order

ISLAMABAD:

US drone maker Powerus has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Pakistan Army that includes an initial drone-related order, the company's co-founder Brett Velicovich told Reuters on Wednesday, in a deal that has not previously been reported.

Velicovich declined to provide details of the order, citing security sensitivities, but said the agreement fell within the category of unmanned aerial systems. He also declined to disclose its value, citing confidentiality.

Powerus, which offers aerial and maritime drones for military and industrial use, is due to merge with publicly traded Aureus Greenway Holdings, a company backed by US President Donald Trump's sons. Both companies have said they expect the merger to be completed in early October.

The ISPR did not respond to a Reuters request for comment on the agreement outside business hours.

Andrew Fox, Powerus' founder and chief executive, said Pakistan's private defence sector remained "emerging but still not mature", leaving room for US firms to move faster.

"The goal would be a joint technology relationship, pairing best-in-breed technology from the US with best-in-breed technology from Pakistan," Velicovich said.

Fox dismissed suggestions that the company's growth was linked to the involvement of the Trump sons, saying contracts were awarded on merit and that they had "no involvement on the business side" of the company.