US drone firm powerus signs MoU with Pakistan Army

Velicovich confirmed the agreement to Reuters on Wednesday but declined to disclose details of the order, including its value, citing security and confidentiality

ISLAMABAD: US-based defence technology company Powerus has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Pakistan Army that includes an initial order related to unmanned aerial systems, according to company co-founder Brett Velicovich.

Velicovich confirmed the agreement to Reuters on Wednesday but declined to disclose details of the order, including its value, citing security and confidentiality concerns.

The signing of the MoU and the initial order had not previously been publicly reported.

Powerus develops aerial and maritime drone systems for military and industrial applications. The company is also expected to merge with publicly listed Aureus Greenway Holdings, a company backed by an investment fund associated with US President Donald Trump’s sons, Donald Trump Jr and Eric Trump. The companies have said they expect the merger to be completed in early October.

The development followed a meeting at General Headquarters in Rawalpindi between a Powerus delegation led by founder and CEO Andrew Fox and Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir.

According to Pakistan’s military, the meeting focused on defence procurement, production and long-term capacity building. The military’s statement did not mention the MoU or the reported order.

Powerus said it was exploring opportunities for greater technological cooperation with Pakistan, including the possibility of developing or manufacturing some technology locally.

Velicovich said the company was interested in establishing a joint technology relationship that could combine advanced US capabilities with expertise available in Pakistan.

The agreement comes as Pakistan and the United States seek to strengthen bilateral relations following a period of strained ties, with cooperation increasingly extending into economic, financial and defence areas.

Powerus CEO Andrew Fox said Pakistan’s private defence sector was still developing, creating opportunities for US companies to establish partnerships and expand technological cooperation.

Fox also rejected suggestions that the company’s business growth was connected to the involvement of Donald Trump Jr and Eric Trump, maintaining that contracts were awarded on merit and that the two had no role in the company’s day-to-day operations.

A spokesperson for Donald Trump Jr said he was a passive investor and had no involvement in Powerus’ management, operations or procurement of contracts. The spokesperson added that Trump Jr had no prior knowledge of the Pakistan agreement and played no role in its negotiation or execution.

The White House also rejected suggestions of a conflict of interest, with Special Assistant to the President and Principal Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly stating that there were no conflicts of interest.