Stories
Trump-Backed Defence Firm's Pakistan Deal Raises Eyebrows in New Delhi
- •Powerus, a US defence firm backed by Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, secured a drone procurement deal with Pakistan's Ministry of Defence, raising concerns in India.
- •The deal introduces American-designed autonomous platforms to Pakistan, disrupting its traditional reliance on China for military hardware.
- •India fears the introduction of advanced Western UAS into Pakistan could destabilize the Line of Control and international border, complicating its air defense.
- •New Delhi is particularly alarmed by the MoU's emphasis on localized manufacturing of autonomous systems in Pakistan, fearing a self-sustaining unmanned warfare ecosystem and potential technology leaks to China.
- •The financial involvement of the Trump family in a firm arming Pakistan creates diplomatic friction for India, potentially diluting Washington's commitment to curbing cross-border terrorism.
Key Questions Answered
In mid-September 2026, Powerus signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding and received an initial procurement order from Pakistan's Ministry of Defence for unmanned aerial systems and technical support. Led by co-founder Brett Velicovich, the talks took place at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi with military leadership including Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir. Citing security sensitivities, the firm declined to disclose the specific hardware models or the exact financial value.
Indian defense planners view the introduction of advanced Western unmanned systems into Pakistan as a direct threat along the Line of Control and international border. New Delhi is particularly alarmed by the MoU's emphasis on localized manufacturing, fearing it will establish a permanent domestic warfare ecosystem and potentially lead to sensitive dual-use technology leaking to China.
Through their investment vehicle American Ventures, Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump provided $5.55 million in bridge financing and warrants, positioning them for a 9.9% beneficial ownership stake in the combined public company after its merger with Aureus Greenway Holdings. This precise 9.9% cap acts as a beneficial ownership blocker to avoid SEC Section 16 corporate insider penalties and preserve a passive investor status.
