Canada’s General Dynamics Mission Systems–Canada and Ukraine’s Ratel Robotics have signed a memorandum of understanding under which they will explore opportunities for the joint production of ground robotic systems for Ukraine. This was reported by General Dynamics’ press office.
The partnership is focused on Ukrainian-developed robotic systems. The parties plan to combine Ratel Robotics’ experience in creating and deploying ground robotic systems with the manufacturing capabilities of General Dynamics Mission Systems–Canada and its expertise in automotive electronics. The Canadian side will also provide industrial know-how to support Ukraine’s manufacturing and operational needs.
The agreement was also confirmed by Ratel Robotics CEO Taras Ostapchuk.
“We’re becoming an even more international business!!! We signed a memorandum with General Dynamics Mission Systems–Canada. Soon there will be more RATELs and they will be produced in Canada for the Armed Forces of Ukraine!!!!,” he said.
Ratel Robotics is a Ukrainian manufacturer of ground robotic systems that has been developing drones since 2023. The company’s robotic platforms are used for battlefield logistics, casualty evacuation, reconnaissance, drone launching and demining. In 2026, the company signed contracts totalling $86 million. It is also in talks with several NATO countries under the Build With Ukraine initiative. In September, the US company Swarmer, Inc., which develops autonomous drone-control platforms, finalised a definitive agreement to acquire the Ukrainian ground robotic systems manufacturer Ratel Robotics.
General Dynamics Mission Systems-Canada is one of Canada’s largest defence organisations. The company manufactures defence electronics, including sonar systems, anti-submarine warfare equipment and UAVs. Recently, General Dynamics Mission Systems-Canada and the Ukrainian UAV manufacturer GreenTech Harvest agreed on the joint production of Ukrainian unmanned aircraft in Canada.
By way of reminder, in September a Ukrainian delegation visited Canada. One outcome of the visit was the signing of a Joint Declaration on defence and security co-operation. According to Ukraine’s Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Hvozdyar, the document is the first step towards implementing the Drone Deal on the American continent. She confirmed that 30% of drones produced under the Ukrainian-Canadian programme will be transferred to Ukraine’s Defence Forces.
Earlier, following a meeting, Canada’s Prime Minister announced the creation of a Defence Drone Initiative Marketplace in the country — a digital marketplace to speed up the procurement and deployment of unmanned systems and countermeasures. In his view, the Canadian Armed Forces will need millions of drones in the coming years, compared with the 2,000 they have today. The plan is therefore to increase production tenfold. Canada intends to direct a third of these to support Ukraine’s defence.