LAHORE MIRROR — US drone firm Powerus has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Pakistan Army that includes an initial drone-related order, co-founder Brett Velicovich told Reuters on Wednesday.
Velicovich declined to provide details, citing security sensitivities, but said the deal fell within the category of unmanned aerial systems. He also declined to disclose the value of the order, citing confidentiality.
Powerus, which offers aerial and maritime drones for military and industrial use, is due to merge with a publicly traded company backed by two of US President Donald Trump’s sons, called Aureus Greenway Holdings.
Both companies have said they expect the merger to complete in early October.
Trump’s sons, Donald Trump Jr and Eric Trump, own a stake in Aureus through an investment fund called American Ventures, according to US regulatory filings.
Inter-Services Public Relations on Wednesday said a Powerus delegation led by Velicovich met Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir and they discussed defence procurement, production and long-term capacity building. The statement did not mention the MoU.
The military’s media wing did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the agreement outside business hours.
Andrew Fox, Powerus’ founder and chief executive, said that Pakistan’s private defence sector remains “emerging but still not mature”, leaving room for US firms to move faster.
“The goal would be a joint technology relationship, pairing best-in-breed technology from the US with best-in-breed technology from Pakistan,” Velicovich said, adding that Powerus was exploring ways to potentially build technology in Pakistan.
Donald Trump Jr was a passive investor with an indirect holding, his spokesperson said.
Eric Trump could not immediately be reached.
White House Special Assistant to the President and Principal Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly said, “There are no conflicts of interest.”
