Lithuanian drone manufacturer Unmanned Defense Systems is beginning operations in Ukraine through the joint Lithuanian-Ukrainian venture UDS Ukraine. The company said this in a press release.
UDS develops integrated unmanned systems for a range of missions, including intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR), precision strikes, and command and control.
UDS’s integrated systems combine:
- FORECASTER — a UAV for intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR);
- AVENGER 5 — a UAV for precision strikes;
- HAULER — a UAV for transporting various types of payload;
- SWARM C2 — a command-and-control software platform.
All of them operate within an open, interoperable ecosystem designed for integration with third-party platforms and battle management systems.
“Ukraine has fundamentally changed the pace at which defence technologies must evolve. By establishing a permanent presence in Ukraine, we want to bring our technologies, engineering expertise and systems approach closer to the people who need these capabilities. Our task is not merely to supply products, but to build a long-term presence and contribute to Ukraine’s defence capabilities,” said UDS co-founder and chief executive Vitenis J. Buzas.
Thanks to its distributed manufacturing system, UDS can control critical technologies and production stages, rapidly scale output in line with demand, and at the same time develop the manufacturing capabilities of defence industries in the countries where it operates.
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The creation of UDS Ukraine reflects the company’s broader ambition to become part of Ukraine’s defence technology ecosystem rather than operate solely as an external supplier, the press release said.
The Ukrainian team will work directly with the Ukrainian military and partners. It will be responsible for deploying products, training operators and continuing co-operation with military units. The company’s permanent presence is intended to give Ukrainian users faster access to UDS expertise and shorten the path from operational needs to technical solutions and their deployment, the statement said.
“At the same time, Ukraine’s unique combat experience will provide important feedback for the further development of UDS systems,” the company added.
As a reminder, Lithuania’s Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas said that the country is seeking to establish production of Ukrainian drones on its territory under a bilateral agreement on co-operation in the defence industry.
And Lithuania’s President Gitanas Nauseda proposed directing part of the annual financial assistance to Ukraine towards joint drone production in Lithuania.