With the support of the Consulate General of Ukraine in San Francisco, representatives of the National Guard of Ukraine, led by Colonel Maksym Skliar, head of the Unmanned Systems Directorate, participated in a multinational roundtable on countering unmanned aircraft systems at Edwards Air Force Base in California. Major General Matthew P. Beevers, commander of the California National Guard, opened the event.
The roundtable also brought together representatives of the California National Guard, the Nigerian Armed Forces, and the Mexican Navy.
Ukrainian National Guard personnel shared practical, combat-tested experience in countering drone threats. Participants discussed advances in unmanned aircraft systems, methods for detecting and neutralizing them, and operational lessons learned by Ukrainian units on the battlefield. The visit also included participation in Game of Drones, an event hosted by the Hap Arnold Innovation Center, the innovation hub of the California Air National Guard’s 163rd Attack Wing.
National Guard of Ukraine representatives learned about current U.S. unmanned systems and spoke directly with manufacturers. They also outlined the Ukrainian units’ current operational needs and shared their firsthand experience employing these technologies in combat.
Ukraine not only needs advanced technologies—it also has unique, real-world experience using them in modern warfare. Exchanges among service members, developers, and manufacturers help drive new technological solutions and strengthen shared capabilities to counter unmanned threats.
Cooperation between Ukraine and the State of California has continued since 1993 under the U.S.–Ukraine State Partnership Program. Through this partnership, the California National Guard has become a longstanding partner of the National Guard of Ukraine. The program includes professional exchanges, personnel training, joint exercises and events, interoperability development, improvements in command and logistics processes, and the exchange of security-related expertise.