Former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov and Lasar's Group founder Pavlo Yelizarov have created the Miltech company Mission Defense Partners (MDP). According to Yelizarov, it operates on the basis of civilian production and will focus on the development of the Ukrainian defense industry, attracted investments, and modern foreign technologies.
As Yelizarov reports in an interview with DOU, the company plans to hire specialists who are currently not serving in the Defense Forces, work with international partners, and invest funds in Ukrainian startups. Among the areas of interest to MDP are technologies for mid-air drone guidance and solutions for air defense.
Separately, Yelizarov mentioned negotiations with the American company Palantir. According to him, Fedorov met with its representatives to discuss financing Ukrainian startups within the framework of an investment program. Yelizarov expressed hope that the relevant agreements will be signed in the near future. He did not disclose the funds already attracted.
Among MDP's priorities is the development of an inexpensive all-weather missile for destroying "Shaheds." Yelizarov named the approximate price of such a product — $20,000–25,000 — and noted that the missile must operate in fog, rain, and wind. According to him, Ukraine needs a short-range missile with radar homing guidance.
The company has three co-owners. Yelizarov said that he owns approximately one third, and the name of the third partner is not yet being disclosed.
Earlier, Fedorov announced the start of work on his own technology project in the Defence Tech sector. According to him, the first key investor of the newly created Defense Tech startup was to be Alex Karp, executive director (CEO) of the American company Palantir Technologies, which is one of the world leaders in big data analytics and artificial intelligence.
Interestingly, in October, former Ukroboronprom CEO and former Minister of Strategic Industries of Ukraine Herman Smetanin registered the defense tech company "MISSION DEFENSE."