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Drone deal
Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif with US President Donald Trump during a meeting at the White House. Photo: Wikimedia commons

Pakistan Army signs drone deal with US firm linked to Trump sons-backed merger: Report

| @indiablooms | Sep 17, 2026, at 10:33 pm

US drone and defence technology company Powerus has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Pakistan Army that includes an initial order for unmanned aerial systems, the company's co-founder Brett Velicovich told Reuters.

The value and specific details of the order have not been disclosed. Velicovich said the agreement is aimed at establishing a joint technology relationship between the United States and Pakistan, combining technologies from both countries.

The development comes as Powerus prepares to merge with publicly traded 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 proposed transaction is expected to create a publicly traded company focused on autonomous systems and drone technology.

Powerus, Pakistan Army discuss drone technology

Velicovich said the agreement with the Pakistani military covers unmanned aerial systems but declined to provide further details, citing security and confidentiality considerations.

"The goal would be a joint technology relationship, pairing best-in-breed technology from the US with best-in-breed technology from Pakistan," he told Reuters.

The Pakistan military separately said that Field Marshal Asim Munir met a Powerus delegation led by Velicovich.

The discussions covered defence procurement, production and long-term capacity building.

Powerus has described itself as a US-based autonomous drone and defence technology company developing aerial, maritime and counter-drone systems.

Trump sons-backed company set to merge with Powerus

The Pakistan deal comes ahead of Powerus' planned combination with Aureus Greenway Holdings.

US Securities and Exchange Commission filings show that the proposed transaction involves Aureus Greenway Holdings and Autonomous Power Corporation, which does business as Powerus.

The combined company is expected to operate under the Powerus name following completion of the transaction.

The SEC filings also identify American Ventures among the investors associated with the transaction.

An earlier company filing said American Ventures and Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr. were among notable investors in the deal.

The Trump brothers' involvement is through investment interests rather than the day-to-day operations of Powerus. Reuters reported that Powerus executives said the brothers had no involvement in the company's business operations or contract negotiations.

Powerus sees opportunity in Pakistan's defence sector

Powerus CEO Andrew Fox described Pakistan's private defence sector as an emerging market, suggesting there was scope for US companies to expand their presence.

Velicovich said the US had historically been reluctant to provide drone systems to countries such as Pakistan, while China had been more willing to supply such technology.

He said there was now a broader shift toward greater US sharing of drone systems, including outside Pakistan.

Earlier US defence deal with Pakistan

The Powerus agreement follows a separate US defence package for Pakistan.

In December 2025, the United States approved a proposed $686 million package involving upgrades and support for Pakistan's F-16 fleet.

The package included Link-16 systems, cryptographic equipment, avionics upgrades, training and logistical support.

The latest drone agreement adds another layer to the expanding defence and technology relationship between US companies and Pakistan.

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