Ukrainian defense-tech company General Cherry, one of the country’s largest multi-type drone manufacturers, has announced a strategic joint venture with US tactical equipment maker Wilcox Industries Corp. to produce FPV and interceptor drones in the US.
The announcement comes as Ukrainian defense companies look to establish production footholds in NATO member states, both to scale manufacturing capacity and to access Western procurement pipelines.
Under the partnership, the two companies will establish a joint production facility at Wilcox’s manufacturing complex in Newington, New Hampshire, with General Cherry’s engineering team leading development. The project is currently in the approval phase, with both sides seeking backing from Ukraine’s head of state and relevant institutions before the venture is formally registered.
General Cherry brings significant battlefield-tested credentials to the deal. The company holds 33 codified defense products and ranks first in effectiveness among Ukrainian FPV and interceptor drone makers, the press release says. It is also the first Ukrainian defense manufacturer to receive AQAP 2110 certification, NATO’s quality management standard for defense procurement, it added.
“Our primary focus is on interceptor drones as the flagship product” according to the press release quoting Yaroslav Hryshyn, co-founder of General Cherry.
The press release also quotes James Titzel, founder and CEO of Wilcox Industries: “
“Working with a company that stood against the impossible and rose to fight when Ukraine’s sovereignty was threatened – that is exactly the spirit Wilcox wants to be part of.”
Founded in 1982 and ISO 9001:2015-certified, Wilcox Industries has reported annual growth since its founding. It supplies advanced tactical solutions globally.