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yesterday

Pentagon Orders 33,000 AI Strike Kits to Upgrade Ukraine’s Drones

Scheduled for year-end delivery, the kits bring jamming-resistant AI guidance to Ukraine’s drones to evade Russian electronic countermeasures.

A drone with a controller by Skynode S by Auterion is displayed during a sea drone event in Yilan, Taiwan, June 17, 2025. REUTERS/Ann Wang
Ukrainian soldiers in the Donetsk region being trained in drone operations
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Overview

  • The Pentagon awarded a $50 million contract to Swiss firm Auterion for 33,000 AI-powered strike kits as part of an American aid package distinct from Ukraine’s recent mega-deal with Washington.
  • Each strike kit packs a mini-onboard computer, camera and encrypted radio module to enable independent flight and targeting.
  • Onboard electronic warfare defenses let drones complete missions and navigate when Russian jamming degrades remote links.
  • AI guidance supports coordinated swarm tactics and allows drones to track moving targets from more than half a mile up to a mile away.
  • Scheduled for delivery by year-end 2025, the kits are intended to bolster Ukraine’s drone strike and defense capabilities as Russian aerial attacks surge and interception rates fall.