Key developments
Trump administration weighs drone-company funding
The Trump administration is in advanced talks to provide direct federal funding to a small group of US drone manufacturers through the Office of Strategic Capital, according to The Jerusalem Post's report on Wall Street Journal reporting. The proposed deals could include debt and equity stakes, potentially giving the government ownership interests; Performance Drone Works and Nero Technologies were named, and Performance Drone Works lists Donald Trump Jr. as a shareholder and advisory board member. The funding is intended to help manufacturers scale production and lower prices, not to buy drones, and comes as the Pentagon pursues a $1.1 billion plan to mass-produce 300,000 low-cost attack drones by the end of 2027.
Why it matters
It would mark a shift from procurement to direct government investment in the US drone industrial base.
Sources & driving stories
THE JERUSALEM POST
The Jerusalem Post coverageUkraine scales drone output and logistics strikes
Ukraine is expanding a middle-strike drone campaign against Russian logistics while also ramping up production, according to The Kyiv Independent and The Irish Times. The Kyiv Independent says Ukraine's defense ministry launched "Logistical Lockdown" with an extra 5 billion UAH for frontline units, as drones hit supply trucks and fuel vehicles on routes in occupied Ukraine; Hornet drones used by Azov reportedly cost about $5,000, carry a 5 kg warhead, and reach up to 200 kilometers with Starlink-based communications added to resist jamming. Separately, The Irish Times reported Fire Point co-founder Denys Shtilierman saying the company produces about 300 FP-1 and FP-2 drones per day at roughly €50,000 each, with Ukrainian strikes reaching oil refineries, air defenses, and Moscow.
Why it matters
Ukraine is pairing mass production with deeper logistics attacks, increasing pressure on Russian supply lines and rear-area defenses.
Sources & driving stories
THE KYIV INDEPENDENT · Rushton
The Kyiv Independent coverageTHE IRISH TIMES
The Irish Times coverageWorth noting
WORTH NOTING
NATO urged to bury drone command centers
Ukrainian and NATO officials say survivability now depends on moving drone units and putting command posts underground.
WORTH NOTING
Drone strikes on health care rose 43%
A new PHR report says armed-drone incidents against health facilities surged in 2025, with Ukraine and Sudan driving the increase.
Still unclear
OPEN QUESTION
Will Washington take equity in drone startups?
If federal funding includes ownership stakes, it could alter how the US supports and selects drone suppliers.
OPEN QUESTION
Can Ukraine outpace Russian countermeasures?
The logistics campaign only works if Ukraine can keep scaling production faster than Russia adds air defense and electronic warfare.