An American company will commence domestic production of drone boats developed and operationally proven by Ukraine as the U.S. Department of Defense seeks to expand its inventory of autonomous weapon systems. This marks the first time the sea drones, known as Maguras, will be manufactured in the United States.
The agreement, finalized last week at the Ukrainian Embassy in Washington, involves Portland, Oregon-based ReconCraft, a firm that specializes in boats for special-operations forces, and Uforce, the original Ukrainian developer of the Magura drones. Executives from both sides described the arrangement as a "teaming agreement," wherein each company will contribute supplies, equipment, and personnel. Plans call for producing hundreds, potentially thousands, of these unmanned speedboats annually at facilities in Oregon and South Carolina. The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Ukrainian Ambassador Olga Stefanishyna described the partnership as setting an “important precedent” that could encourage further U.S.-Ukraine defense industrial collaboration. Ukraine has been cautious about sharing its military technology but has made significant advances in unmanned warfare, particularly with air, land, and sea drones. Its low-cost autonomous platforms have been used extensively to target Russian warships, aircraft, and infrastructure in the ongoing conflict.
The U.S. has recently begun deploying sea drones in combat operations as well. Earlier this month, American drone boats conducted a kamikaze-style attack on an Iranian submarine and ship facility located along the strategic Strait of Hormuz. This operation highlighted the Pentagon’s growing interest in cost-effective, expendable unmanned systems amid strained inventories of high-value munitions due to ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.
The 25-foot Magura boats, capable of carrying payloads exceeding 1,700 pounds over distances of more than 350 miles, are designed for strike missions but can also deploy aerial drones, perform minesweeping tasks, and tow sonar equipment for submarine detection. Uforce CEO Oleg Rogynskyy emphasized that Ukraine’s endorsement for U.S. production is crucial, enabling American forces to leverage Ukraine’s combat experience, operational tactics, and autonomy software integrated into these systems.
The manufacturing deal comes amid broader discussions on increased U.S.-Ukraine military cooperation, including President Donald Trump’s recent comments about potentially allowing Ukraine to produce American Patriot missile systems to replenish supplies depleted in other conflict zones. However, longer-term efforts to access Ukrainian defense technology have progressed slowly.
In the United States, the Magura’s entry adds to a competitive market for unmanned surface vessels, with numerous defense contractors and startups developing similar technologies featuring enhanced range and firepower to meet the Pentagon’s expanding demand for autonomous naval systems.