Ireland and Ukraine are exploring a joint memorandum on drone technology and manufacture that could lead to the two countries co-producing unmanned drones, Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed after a bilateral meeting in Dublin on Wednesday, November 11. Ireland's interest is centred on unmanned drones for maritime security, drawing on the expertise Ukraine has built up through its war with Russia.
Source: BBC News NI (Kevin Sharkey), via PA Media reporting
Speaking at a joint press conference, Mr Martin said the two governments are looking at drawing up a joint memorandum setting out a relationship on drone technology and manufacture, and that Ireland's Department of Defence is exploring the plan with its Ukrainian counterpart. "Given Ukrainian expertise in drone technology, we could avail of that technology, particularly unmanned drones in terms of maritime security, but that work is still ongoing," he said.
Source: The Irish Times, Nov 11, 2026
Mr Zelenskyy said Ukraine is ready to help and ready to build together. "We are ready for co-production with Ireland, and we expect our drone deal with Ireland to become operational," he said. No financial terms, production sites or timeline for the memorandum have been announced, and both leaders described the work as ongoing rather than a signed agreement.
Source: Glasgow Times (PA Media), Nov 11, 2026
The drone talks came on the sidelines of Mr Zelenskyy's Dublin visit for the European Political Community summit, which Awaaz Punjab covered as he arrived in the Irish capital. That earlier story is linked here. Read: Zelenskyy arrives in Dublin for the European leaders' summit
Why Ireland wants Ukrainian drone know-how
Ukraine has become the world's most battle-tested developer of unmanned systems since Russia's full-scale invasion, using drones for reconnaissance, strikes and naval operations. Ireland, which is militarily neutral and not a NATO member, has a long coastline and a large maritime zone to monitor but a small defence force, which is why maritime-security drones are the stated focus of the talks, according to the Irish Times report of the Taoiseach's remarks.
Source: The Irish Times, Nov 11, 2026
At the same press conference, Mr Martin also said it remains his goal to advance Ukraine's accession to the European Union as far as possible by the end of the year, when Ireland's presidency of the Council of the EU ends on December 31, including opening the EU negotiation clusters for Kyiv. Mr Zelenskyy, for his part, said he expects to be updated on Thursday by US President Donald Trump's envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner following their talks with Russia in Abu Dhabi.
Source: Glasgow Times (PA Media), Nov 11, 2026
What happens next
Officials from the two defence departments are to continue work on the text of the memorandum. Until it is signed, there is no contract, no factory and no delivery date — only a stated intention by both leaders, made publicly in Dublin, to turn Ukraine's wartime drone expertise into a peacetime production partnership with Ireland.