2 hrs ago
Powerus Signs Pakistan Army Drone Deal Amid Trump Family Links
Powerus is a United States company that makes drones for military and industrial uses.
It signed an agreement with the Pakistan Army.
The agreement includes an initial order for drone-related power systems.
The company has not said how much the order is worth.
Powerus is also planning to merge with a company partly owned through a fund connected to Donald Trump Jr and Eric Trump.
Powerus says the Trump family members are not involved in running its business.
Pakistan’s military confirmed that its officials met Powerus representatives, but it did not mention signing the agreement.
The company says it wants to explore building technology jointly with Pakistan.
Pakistan is seeking stronger air defences after a conflict with India last year.
US drone firm Powerus signed an MoU with the Pakistan Army that includes an initial order for power systems.
Powerus president Brett Velicovich said the agreement concerns unmanned aerial systems but declined to disclose its value or details.
Powerus is expected to merge in early October with Aureus Greenway Holdings, backed by Donald Trump Jr and Eric Trump.
The Pakistan military said the sides discussed defence procurement, production and long-term capacity building, but did not mention signing an MoU.
Powerus said it hopes to develop a joint US-Pakistan technology relationship as Islamabad seeks stronger air defences after last year’s conflict with India.
- Who
- Powerus, led at the meeting by co-founder and president Brett Velicovich, and the Pakistan Army, led in the meeting by Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir.
- What
- They signed a memorandum of understanding that includes an initial order for power systems connected to unmanned aerial systems.
- Where
- Islamabad, Pakistan.
- When
- The MoU was signed on Wednesday; the related merger is expected to be completed in early October.
- Why
- The agreement is intended to support defence procurement and potential US-Pakistan technology cooperation, while Pakistan seeks to strengthen its air defences.
Conflict-of-interest concerns
Company and government responses
Trump family connection
Conflict-of-interest concerns
Powerus is merging with Aureus Greenway Holdings, in which Donald Trump Jr and Eric Trump hold an indirect stake through American Ventures, raising questions about the business relationship’s political context.
Company and government responses
Powerus co-founder Andrew Fox said contracts are awarded on merit and that Trump’s sons have no involvement in the company’s business operations. White House spokesperson Anna Kelly said there are no conflicts of interest.
Confirmation of the agreement
Conflict-of-interest concerns
Powerus said it signed an MoU and received an initial order from the Pakistan Army.
Company and government responses
The Pakistan military confirmed the meeting and discussions but did not mention that an MoU had been signed.
Key facts
- Company
- Powerus, which develops aerial and maritime drones for military and industrial uses.
- Initial order
- Power systems related to unmanned aerial systems.
- Order value
- Not disclosed because of confidentiality and security sensitivities.
- Pakistan military position
- It confirmed discussions on defence procurement, production and long-term capacity building but did not mention the MoU signing.
- Planned merger
- Powerus expects to merge with Aureus Greenway Holdings in early October.
- Trump family stake
- Donald Trump Jr and Eric Trump own a stake in Aureus through American Ventures, which is expected to hold 9.9% beneficial ownership of the combined company.
- Defence context
- China accounts for roughly 80% of Pakistan’s defence imports by volume, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.
Quotes
Brett Velicovich
Powerus co-founder and president
“The goal would be a joint technology relationship, pairing best-in-breed technology from the US with best-in-breed technology from Pakistan.”
wionews.com
“Today we signed a very important MOU. As part of that MOU, we received an initial order for power systems.”
wionews.com
Anna Kelly
White House special assistant and principal deputy press secretary
“There are no conflicts of interest.”
wionews.com
Sources
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