A US defense startup with financial backing from the Trump family has signed a memorandum of understanding with Pakistan's army, offering Islamabad access to Ukrainian drone technology. The move has sparked debate over its implications for India and the broader Indo-Pacific security landscape.
Powerus, founded in October 2025 by veterans of US intelligence and special forces, has quickly become a player in the unmanned systems market. Its investors include American Ventures, a fund owned by the Trump family, and Unusual Machines, where Donald Trump Jr. serves as an adviser and shareholder. The company's rapid rise has drawn scrutiny, particularly given its recent deals in South Asia.
From golf resorts to defense contracts
Powerus's corporate journey is unconventional. It began as Autonomus Power Corporation and in March announced a merger with Aureus Greenway Holdings, a company better known for owning golf resorts than for military hardware. The merger, set to be completed under the Powerus name in October, raised eyebrows until the Trump family connection became clear.
Within six months, Powerus acquired three small firms and began producing unmanned aerial and maritime systems. It also partnered with G1 Exploration, which holds intellectual property for seven fully developed drone models from Ukrainian manufacturers. Together, they launched the Guardian line of interceptor drones, designed to counter one-way attack drones and other low-cost aerial threats.
Despite competing against giants like Lockheed Martin, General Dynamics, and Boeing, Powerus has secured notable contracts. In July, it won a US Air Force deal worth $90 million for 3,000 interceptor drones. In August, it received a $2.5 million contract from the US Defense Department for 1,500 first-person-view drones and control kits. Another $22.3 million deal involves building an air-threat monitoring network to protect critical oil and gas infrastructure in the Middle East against Iranian attacks.
Expanding into South Asia
Powerus's ambitions extend beyond the US and the Gulf. It has begun re-exporting Ukrainian drone technology to the Indian subcontinent. In a first step, it signed a deal with Mumbai-based Paras Defense and Space Technologies to produce and sell Guardian-1 technology in India. Then, on September 16, it signed a memorandum with the Pakistani Army, represented by Field Marshal Asim Munir, who has close personal ties to President Trump.
The Pakistan deal has raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest and regional security. Islamabad has been expanding its drone capabilities, adopting Ukrainian tactics and technology after its clash with India during Operation Sindoor. The memorandum calls for an initial order of unmanned aerial vehicles, with the ultimate goal of a joint technology partnership and manufacturing operations in Pakistan, according to Powerus co-founder Brett Velicovich. CEO Andrew Fox noted that Pakistan's private defense sector is still nascent but of interest to American firms.
The deal could signal a revival of US-Pakistani defense cooperation, which has been largely dormant since Washington stopped supplying Islamabad with weapons, offering only modernization packages for previously delivered F-16s. For India, the prospect of advanced drone technology flowing to Pakistan is worrying, especially given the recent tensions.
Pakistan has been actively building its drone capabilities, encouraging private companies to manufacture drones and establishing a network of small, decentralized production sites. It has also adopted counter-drone measures, including anti-drone nets for police facilities. The government has courted foreign involvement through private and public-private partnerships.
Ukraine's war with Russia has spurred its defense industry, and Kyiv is now exporting its battlefield experience to bolster its political influence and economy. Drone deals with allies and neutral countries alike have become a tool of Ukrainian diplomacy. However, such deals often overlook the geopolitical consequences, including the re-export of expertise, which can quickly tilt long-standing regional security balances.
The Powerus-Pakistan pact has fueled concerns that US defense companies tied to the Trump family are prioritizing profit over careful risk assessment. As the demand for military drones surges, the rush to capitalize on this market may come at the expense of regional stability. For India, the development is a reminder of the shifting dynamics in South Asia, where drone technology is becoming a decisive factor in military planning.
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