Patria, Ukraine’s General Cherry Explore Drone Production in Finland

Patria has teamed up with Ukrainian drone manufacturer General Cherry to explore producing drones in Finland for European customers.

General Cherry develops and produces several types of unmanned systems, including strike first-person view, fiber-optic, aerial-target interceptor, and fixed-wing platforms. 

Its lineup includes the Sweetheart strike drone, which has a range of up to 150 kilometers (93 miles), an endurance of nearly three hours, and an operating altitude of 300 to 900 meters (984 to 2,953 feet).

The Ukrainian company's experience in producing small drones at scale will be combined with Patria’s existing work on unmanned systems and broader defense technologies.

“Unmanned defense systems are central to the future of defense, which is why we have invested in development of unmanned systems for years as part of our operations,” Patria executive vice president Mikko Leino said.

The planned Patria-General Cherry cooperation comes as Ukrainian defense companies attract growing interest from foreign governments and defense firms seeking access to battlefield-tested drone technology.

An April 2026 poll found that 90 percent of 42 surveyed Ukrainian defense companies had received cooperation requests from foreign countries since the start of the year, led by the US at 36 percent, Germany at 29 percent, and Denmark at 21 percent.

The US Department of Defense has also sent personnel to Ukraine to study drone warfare and incorporate battlefield lessons into US military operations.

Ukraine has expanded its use of drones along the battlefield through its “Drone Line” initiative, which aims to create a 10- to 15-kilometer (6- to 9-mile) kill zone against advancing Russian forces.

The focus on drones is aligned with Ukraine’s broader push to expand the use of unmanned systems as a way to maintain battlefield effectiveness while reducing risks to frontline troops.