Ukraine Eyes US Investment for New Defence Tech Fund

Ukraine’s former defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov is seeking investment from the United States for a proposed defence technology fund focused on developing next-generation weapons systems, according to a Financial Times report published Sunday.

The initiative is aimed at attracting US capital and broader Western investment as Ukraine works to expand its domestic defence technology sector and strengthen its ability to withstand continued Russian military pressure.

Fedorov is also pursuing financing from Western investors to establish new weapons-development companies. These businesses would focus on technologies that could give Ukrainian forces more affordable and scalable capabilities on the battlefield.

According to the Financial Times, the proposed defence tech fund would initially concentrate on three areas: battlefield robotics, inexpensive high-speed interceptor drones and low-cost missiles equipped with artificial intelligence.

The priorities reflect Ukraine’s increasing reliance on drones, autonomous systems and AI-powered military technology as the conflict drives rapid innovation in modern warfare. Lower-cost weapons could also allow Ukraine to deploy advanced systems at greater scale while reducing dependence on more expensive conventional equipment.

Fedorov’s effort to secure US defence technology investment could deepen cooperation between Ukraine and Western private-sector investors. Kyiv has increasingly sought to turn wartime technological advances into a broader defence industry capable of developing and producing weapons domestically.

However, questions remain over the proposed fund’s ownership and management structure. The Financial Times said Fedorov did not specify whether he would hold a personal financial stake in the investment vehicle. He also did not provide detailed information about what role or responsibilities he would assume in overseeing the fund.

The fundraising effort comes as Ukraine continues looking for new sources of capital to expand weapons production and accelerate military innovation. If successful, the proposed fund could channel Western financing into Ukrainian defence startups developing robotics, interceptor drones and AI-enabled missile technology, strengthening the country’s growing defence technology ecosystem amid sustained pressure from Russia.