Ukrainian unmanned boats to be produced in the US for the first time – WSJ

The Pentagon plans to spend tens of billions of dollars on autonomous systems in the coming years.

An American manufacturer will begin producing unmanned boats developed and combat-tested by Ukraine for the first time , as the Pentagon seeks to expand its arsenal of autonomous weapons, The Wall Street Journal reports .

The deal comes as the US begins using naval drones in combat after years of testing and development. Earlier this month, US drones attacked an Iranian submarine and naval base in the Strait of Hormuz.

The agreement was concluded against the backdrop of the US and Ukraine’s desire to expand arms exchanges.

The unmanned boats, known as “Magura,” will be manufactured by Portland-based ReconCraft, which manufactures boats for special forces.

It is noted that a memorandum of understanding between ReconCraft and the manufacturer of the Magura, Uforce, was signed at the Ukrainian Embassy in Washington last week. According to executives, the agreement is considered a “cooperation agreement” under which both companies provide materials, equipment and labor.

ReconCraft co-founder Joe Silkowski said the goal is to produce hundreds or even thousands of Maguras per year at facilities in Oregon and South Carolina. Ukrainian Ambassador Olga Stefanyshyna said:

“This partnership sets an important precedent. I am confident that it will encourage many other companies to follow suit and deepen US-Ukrainian cooperation in the defense industry.”

Importantly, the Pentagon plans to spend tens of billions of dollars on autonomous systems in the coming years.

The Iran War, which depleted the US stockpile of expensive offensive and defensive munitions, demonstrated the need for cheaper weapons that could be deployed quickly.

Ukrainian kamikaze naval drones, such as the Magura, have largely driven Russian warships from the Black Sea. They have also struck oil tankers and bridges, and delivered missiles and shells to destroy aircraft and ground targets.

Ukraine’s permission to produce Magur in the United States is “absolutely key,” said Uforce CEO Oleg Roginsky, as they will allow the United States to use lessons, tactics, and concepts of operations honed during the years of the war in Ukraine.

According to the company, the Maguras are 25-foot (7.6-meter) unmanned high-speed boats capable of carrying more than 1,500 pounds (770 kg) of cargo over 350 miles (560 kilometers). The boats, which cost less than $500,000, are designed for strike operations, but can also launch UAVs, conduct mine clearance operations, and tow sonar systems to detect submarines.

It is noted that agreements between Kyiv and Great Britain, Germany, and Denmark have already led to Ukrainian companies starting to operate there, as Europe seeks to take advantage of Ukraine’s battle-tested technologies as soon as possible.

(c)UNIAN 2026