PTSI Applauds Bipartisan Congressional Call for Immediate U.S.-Ukraine Operational Collaboration in Unmanned and Autonomous Systems
PTSI supports a bipartisan congressional push urging immediate U.S.-Ukraine operational collaboration in unmanned and autonomous systems.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Peace Through Strength Institute (PTSI)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — December 2025
The Peace Through Strength Institute (PTSI) welcomes the bipartisan congressional letter led by Representatives Don Bacon, Ro Khanna, and Mike Quigley, joined by 14 Members of Congress, urging the Department to fully leverage all existing authorities and appropriations to enable immediate operational collaboration with Ukrainian partners in the unmanned and autonomous domain. The Members request a formal written response from the Department by December 15.
This congressional guidance arrives at a critical moment. Russia has intensified its use of drones, guided aerial weapons, and automated strike systems, even as parallel “peace framework” discussions have created confusion and unease across Europe and within the United States. Moscow is exploiting this ambiguity as strategic cover while expanding its unmanned-warfare advantage. Operational U.S.–Ukraine collaboration is urgently needed and is not optional.
In addition to pressing for immediate action under existing authorities, the Members request clarification on the boundaries of those authorities so Congress can identify where legislative action may be required. Their intent is clear: if current tools are sufficient, the Department should use them now; if gaps exist, Congress stands ready to provide whatever additional authorities are needed to fully enable U.S.–Ukraine cooperation.
The letter outlines opportunities for collaboration across the full unmanned ecosystem — co-production, battlefield deployment, licensing, data-sharing, and integration of innovation channels such as DIU, AFWERX, and SOFWERX. This marks one of the strongest bipartisan statements to date affirming the strategic necessity of direct U.S.–Ukraine operational work in unmanned and autonomous systems.
For two years, PTSI teams have worked directly with Ukrainian commanders, brigades, drone units, and industry leaders on the ground. Drawing from hundreds of battlefield assessments and frontline interviews, the Institute has consistently warned that the future of this war, and of global military competition, will be determined in the unmanned and autonomous domain. PTSI strongly supports the Members’ call to act without delay.
Bipartisan Congressional Voices
“We have seen in the Russian invasion of Ukraine that drones have revolutionized the way we think about warfare. The Ukrainians are pioneering the drone and counter-drone technology sectors, including everything from rapidly manufacturing and modifying to fielding and developing new tactics,” said Rep. Don Bacon. “This letter asks the Pentagon to lean into the incredible strides that Ukraine has made in this new way of war, by both investing in co-production of drone and counter-drone systems with the Ukrainians, and in carefully gathering lessons learned. If we do not do this work, it is guaranteed that our adversaries will.”
“Ukraine’s ingenuity in unmanned systems is unmatched on today’s battlefield. Working together now will strengthen deterrence in Europe and help ensure the United States learns from the most technologically demanding war in generations,” said Rep. Ro Khanna.
“This collaboration should have started already. The tools are available, the authorities are clear, and the need is immediate,” said Rep. Mike Quigley.
America’s Strategic Interests
Enhancing U.S. Readiness
Ukraine’s rapid-cycle battlefield innovation — autonomous targeting, EW adaptation, counter-UAS tactics, distributed manufacturing, and high-volume drone employment — offers lessons that cannot be replicated in American exercises or simulations. Operational collaboration ensures those lessons flow directly into U.S. doctrine and modernization.
Strengthening Deterrence Against China
China is absorbing every lesson from the war in Ukraine and applying them to its own drone, swarm, and electromagnetic-warfare programs. Joint U.S.–Ukraine operational work today builds the capability and institutional muscle memory needed to deter Beijing tomorrow.
Building a More Resilient Industrial Base
Ukraine’s low-cost, high-scale, battlefield-proven unmanned systems provide a vital complement to American industrial capacity. Co-production strengthens supply-chain diversity, speeds modernization, and improves surge responsiveness.
PTSI’s Assessment
PTSI applauds the Members for recognizing that the United States already has the authorities and funding to act immediately. No new legislation is required for the Department to:
- establish operational pilot programs with Ukrainian unmanned units
- jointly test and evaluate U.S. and Ukrainian systems
- co-develop autonomy, sensing, AI, and counter-UAS capabilities
- enable rapid dissemination of battlefield data and lessons learned
- expand small-scale production runs and prototyping partnerships
“PTSI strongly supports this bipartisan call for immediate operational collaboration with Ukraine in unmanned and autonomous systems,” the Institute said. “Ukraine’s frontline innovation represents the most advanced real-world laboratory for modern warfare anywhere in the world. The United States has an urgent strategic interest in integrating these lessons now, not later, while providing Ukraine with the capabilities needed to secure victory and strengthen long-term deterrence.”
If the United States does not integrate battlefield-tested Ukrainian innovation now, our adversaries will, and they already are.
About the Peace Through Strength Institute
The Peace Through Strength Institute is a nonpartisan policy organization dedicated to accelerating U.S. and allied leadership in unmanned, autonomous, and emerging defense technologies. PTSI works closely with policymakers, military experts, global defense innovators, and frontline commanders to translate battlefield realities into practical policy solutions.