Pakistan’s Military Chief Meets with US Drone Firm Linked to Israel and India

Powerus, a U.S.-based drone company backed by two sons of former President Donald Trump, recently met with Pakistan’s military chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, in Rawalpindi. The meeting, held on September 16, 2026, was part of discussions on defense cooperation, according to the Pakistani military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). The company, which was founded just a year prior, announced the following day that it had received a “limited procurement order” from Pakistan’s Ministry of Defence for unmanned aerial systems. A separate memorandum of understanding (MoU) was also signed with senior Pakistani defense officials.

The value and specifics of the procurement order remain undisclosed. However, analysts have raised concerns about Pakistan’s decision to engage with a company that has links to Israel and sells drone technology to India. Powerus, which was founded in 2025, has an Israeli military veteran as one of its cofounders. Pakistan does not recognize Israel and has accused it of carrying out a genocide in Gaza.

Less than three months before the Pakistan deal, Powerus granted an Indian defense manufacturer the exclusive right to produce and sell its drone interceptor technology in India. This has led to questions about the strategic rationale behind Pakistan’s choice, especially given that the country already builds its own drones and sources others from China and Turkey. Bilal Khan, founder of the Quwa Group, a Toronto-based defense intelligence platform, noted that Pakistan “technically already makes or is capable of making each of the drones shown by Powerus.” He expressed uncertainty about Powerus’s long-term relevance to Pakistan’s defense needs.

In its statement, Powerus clarified that the MoU was not a binding agreement and would be subject to U.S. laws and government approvals. The company emphasized that the memorandum provided a strategic framework for future cooperation. Brett Velicovich, one of Powerus’s cofounders, stated that the company was “proud to support Pakistan’s Ministry of Defence.”

The engagement between Powerus and Pakistan raises broader questions about the role of U.S. companies in international defense markets and the potential influence of Israeli ties in such ventures. As Pakistan continues to develop its drone capabilities, the involvement of firms with complex geopolitical connections underscores the intricate nature of modern defense procurement. The situation highlights the need for transparency and accountability in international military partnerships, as well as the importance of aligning such decisions with principles of justice and peace.

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