Ukrainian defence-technology firm General Cherry and Croatian drone company Orqa—one of Europe’s foremost UAV innovators—have entered into a landmark cooperation agreement. This partnership brings together General Cherry’s operational strength and Orqa’s advanced technological capabilities, underscoring the mutual respect shared by the two companies and their countries.
Enabled by Ukraine’s willingness to share its unmatched expertise in counter-UAS interceptor drones, alongside Orqa’s established production capacity, the collaboration aims to enhance NATO resilience. It will support the development of European-made defence systems to safeguard regional airspace without compromising Ukraine’s own operational readiness.
This alliance between prominent Ukrainian and Croatian enterprises is particularly meaningful given their shared commitment to national sovereignty. The initial phase will centre on designing and producing interceptor drones, components, and other counter-UAV solutions. Plans are already in motion to set up joint manufacturing sites in both Croatia and Ukraine, with the first outputs expected soon.
Yaroslav Gryshyn, co-founder of General Cherry, described the agreement as a pivotal moment for both the company and Ukraine’s defence-tech sector. He emphasized that partnering with an experienced UAV leader like Orqa marks the start of an ambitious collaboration aimed at shaping a new global security framework. He noted that Ukraine’s battlefield insights, combined with Orqa’s technological strengths, form a powerful synergy capable of transforming the industry.
Srdjan Kovacevic, co-founder and CEO of Orqa, highlighted that integrating General Cherry’s real-world combat experience with Orqa’s technical expertise creates a highly promising partnership built on an innovative joint manufacturing approach. He added that this step allows General Cherry’s effective interceptor drone technology to be produced beyond Ukraine for the first time, ultimately reinforcing the security infrastructure of allied nations.