General Cherry and Orqa Sign Agreement to Bring Ukrainian ...
AI Analysis
General Cherry, a Ukrainian drone manufacturer, and Orqa, a Croatian UAV producer, have signed an agreement to develop interceptor drones and counter-UAS systems for NATO. This partnership marks the first time General Cherry's interceptor capabilities will be available outside Ukraine, leveraging Orqa's NATO supply chain footprint.
Key Takeaways
- General Cherry and Orqa signed a memorandum to develop interceptor drones for NATO.
- The agreement includes dual-track production in Ukraine and Croatia.
- General Cherry produces over 70,000 drones monthly and holds NATO AQAP 2110 certification.
- Orqa operates in over 50 markets and manufactures without Chinese components.
- The partnership aims to enhance European security architecture with combat-tested technology.
Why It Matters
This collaboration signifies a strategic expansion of Ukrainian drone technology into NATO territories, enhancing the alliance's counter-UAS capabilities. It also strengthens European defense infrastructure by integrating combat-proven systems with established NATO supply chains, potentially setting a precedent for future defense collaborations in the region.
General Cherry and Orqa Sign Agreement to Bring Ukrainian Interceptor Drones to NATO - Inside Unmanned Systems
Ukrainian drone manufacturer General Cherry and Croatian UAV producer Orqa have signed a memorandum of cooperation to jointly develop and manufacture interceptor drones and counter-UAS systems for NATO member states — marking the first time General Cherry’s combat-tested interceptor capability will be available outside Ukraine.
‘Bullet’ drone. Image: General Cherry
The agreement, announced April 7 and signed in Osijek, Croatia, establishes a dual-track production architecture. In Ukraine, the two companies will develop an underground manufacturing facility focused initially on flight stacks and communication systems, with a stated goal of full localization of component production under Ukraine’s Build in Ukraine program. In Croatia, they will launch serial production combining Orqa’s manufacturing infrastructure with General Cherry’s operational development cycle — the iterative, battlefield-driven approach that has defined Ukrainian drone development since 2022.
General Cherry, founded in September 2023, has grown to produce more than 70,000 drones per month across 33 codified products. The company ranks first in interceptor drones among Ukrainian manufacturers according to official Army of Drones Bonus program data, and was the first Ukrainian drone company to receive AQAP 2110 certification — the NATO quality management standard required for alliance procurement. Its flagship interceptor products include the Bullet, a 309 km/h fixed-wing VTOL system designed to engage Shahed-class attack drones, and the AIR series of counter-UAV interceptors. In February 2026, a General Cherry AIR interceptor destroyed a Russian AI-powered Klin loitering munition in what the company described as the first confirmed intercept of an AI-guided kamikaze drone.
Orqa brings an established NATO supply chain footprint to the partnership. The Croatian company operates in more than 50 markets including 24 NATO member states, manufactures all products without Chinese components, and runs a fully vertically integrated production model. In 2026 the company was ranked 135th overall and second in aerospace and defense on the Financial Times FT1000 list of Europe’s fastest-growing companies.
“General Cherry’s real-world combat experience, combined with Orqa’s broad technical capabilities, creates a partnership with exceptional potential,” said Srdjan Kovacevic, co-founder and CEO of Orqa. “It is an important step forward for both parties and countries, enabling General Cherry’s highly effective interceptor drone capability to be available outside Ukraine for the first time.”
Yaroslav Hryshyn, co-founder of General Cherry, framed the agreement in terms of European security architecture. “Our shared goal is clear: to help build a new architecture of European and global security. Ukraine’s unique battlefield experience, combined with Orqa’s technological exper