What General Cherry does

General Cherry (Генерал Черешня) is a Ukrainian defense-tech manufacturer founded in 2022 that designs, produces, and sells First Person View (FPV) kamikaze quadcopter drones and counter-drone interceptor systems for military customers. The company's product portfolio spans six core FPV drone models (General Cherry 7 through 15) with flight times of 18-40 minutes and tactical radii of 16-37 km, an OPTIX long-range series (15-40 km), a kamikaze aircraft-type platform (Hmaryanka), and three interceptor variants (AIR, AIR SPEED at 240 km/h, and BULLET anti-Shahed at 310 km/h). Supporting infrastructure includes digital and OPTIX ground control stations. The technology stack incorporates custom ExpressLRS control and telemetry protocols with customizable frequencies for electronic warfare resistance, multi-spectrum video transmission (day/night/twilight/thermal), Ukrainian carbon fiber frames, and 33 codified defense products certified for operational use.

The company operates a hardware-sales revenue model, pricing complete drone units individually (approximately 100,000-115,000 UAH per FPV drone, equivalent to roughly $2,500-$2,900 at recent exchange rates) with bulk pricing negotiated separately. Go-to-market is conducted through direct B2B enterprise sales to defense ministries and frontline military units via WhatsApp, Signal, and email. Primary customers are Ukrainian government entities, including the Armed Forces (ZSU), National Guard (NGU), State Special Communications Service (DSSZZI), and Border Guard, with deployments across 110+ military units. Production capacity is reported at 70,000+ drones per month, with cumulative claimed outcomes of 2,000+ enemy UAVs destroyed and approximately $1 billion in enemy equipment destroyed.

General Cherry is pursuing aggressive international expansion through strategic joint ventures with Wilcox Industries Corp (Newington, New Hampshire, USA) targeting the US Department of Defense and Blue UAS certification, and with Croatia's Orqa for NATO and allied nation markets. The company is also exploring Asian market entry through discussions with the Japanese Ministry of Defense and supply chain diversification via Taiwanese component manufacturers. Notably, General Cherry is the first Ukrainian defense manufacturer to receive NATO's AQAP 2110 quality management certification, which materially lowers the barrier to NATO interoperability contracts. The company remains privately held with no disclosed institutional funding or parent entity.

Name

General Cherry

Legal name

General Cherry

Website

https://gencherry.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2022

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

General Cherry is a Ukrainian defense-tech company founded in 2022 that manufactures FPV kamikaze strike drones and counter-drone interceptor systems for military customers. It produces 70,000+ drones monthly and serves 110+ Ukrainian military units while expanding internationally via US, Croatian, and Asian joint ventures.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Military Drones and Counter-UAV Systems

NAICS

Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511)

SIC

Aircraft & Parts (3720), Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812)

akta.pro primary industry

Military Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) & Autonomous Aerial Platforms (IMABAMAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Counter-UAS (C-UAS) Systems & Drone Defense (IMABAIAG), Small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS) & Multirotor Drones (IMABAIAA), UAS Ground Control Stations (GCS) & Remote Operations Infrastructure (IMABAIAL)

Keywords

• FPV strike drones
• Counter-drone systems
• Kamikaze military drones
• Interceptor UAVs
• Defense drone manufacturing

Headquarters

HQ city

Smila

HQ country

Ukraine

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Drone Hardware Sales: Sale of FPV quadcopter drones and counter-drone interceptor systems to military units, government defense ministries, and allied nations. Products sold as complete units with various configurations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

General Cherry designs, manufactures, and sells FPV (First Person View) quadcopter strike drones and counter-drone interceptor systems for military and defense customers. The product range covers the General Cherry 7/8/9/10/13/15 series FPV strike drones (18–40 minute flight time, up to 32 km tactical radius), OPTIX long-range variants with integrated ground stations, AIR and AIR SPEED interceptors (up to 240 km/h), the BULLET anti-Shahed interceptor (up to 310 km/h), the Hmaryanka aircraft-type kamikaze drone, and supporting ground control stations. All products are battle-tested, codified for Ukrainian Armed Forces use, and produced at a monthly capacity exceeding 70,000 units.

Product overview

General Cherry is a Ukrainian defense-tech company that manufactures a comprehensive portfolio of FPV (First Person View) quadcopter drones and counter-drone interceptor systems. The product lineup centers on the General Cherry 7/8/9/10/13/15 series FPV drones with flight times ranging from 18-40 minutes and tactical radii from 16-37 km, available in multiple configurations (Analog/Day, Analog/Night with various thermal resolutions, Digital, and Twilight). The OPTIX series extends these capabilities with integrated ground stations for long-range operations. The company also produces dedicated interceptor solutions including the AIR and AIR SPEED interceptors (up to 240 km/h, 40 min flight time), and the specialized BULLET Anti-Shahed interceptor designed to counter Iranian-style drones at speeds up to 310 km/h. Supporting infrastructure includes digital and OPTIX ground control stations. All products are battlefield-tested, codified for Ukrainian military use, and deployed across more than 110 military units. Production capacity reaches 70,000+ drones per month.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• General Cherry 7 FPV Drone Compact FPV quadcopter strike drone with up to 18 minutes flight time, up to 16 km tactical radius, and up to 1.5 kg weight. Available in Analog/Day, Analog/Night (256/384/480/640), and Twilight configurations. Designed for Ukrainian Armed Forces and allied military reconnaissance and strike missions.
• General Cherry 8 FPV Drone FPV quadcopter strike drone with up to 20 minutes flight time, up to 18 km tactical radius, and up to 2.2 kg weight. Available in Analog/Day, Analog/Night (256/384/480/640), and Twilight configurations. Sold to military units for frontline reconnaissance and strike missions.
• General Cherry 9 FPV Drone FPV strike drone with up to 22 minutes flight time, up to 19 km tactical radius, up to 940 m altitude, and up to 2.4 kg weight. Configurations include Analog/Day, Analog/Night (256/384/480/640), and Twilight.
• General Cherry 10 FPV Drone FPV quadcopter strike drone with up to 24 minutes flight time, up to 24 km tactical radius, and up to 3 kg weight. Available in Analog (Day/Night 256/384/480/640/Twilight) and OPTIX 15 km variants.
• General Cherry 13 FPV Drone Larger FPV strike drone with up to 30 minutes flight time, up to 30 km tactical radius, and up to 6 kg weight. Offers Analog (Day/Night 384/480/640/Twilight) and OPTIX variants (15/20/25 km) for extended-range operations.
• General Cherry 15 FPV Drone

Quantifiable outcome

• Destruction of $1 billion worth of enemy equipment
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered strategic, core and supporting.

• Japanese Ministry of DefensestrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 June 2026Ukrainian drone companies including General Cherry traveled to Tokyo to propose collaboration with the Japanese government and military enterprises for the mass production of thousands of drones and surface unmanned boats for the Asian market. The Japanese Ministry of Defense declined to comment on specific cooperation but stated it is studying all feasible options to acquire equipment for the emerging 'new type of combat mode' involving AI and autonomous systems.
• OrqacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 April 2026Memorandum of cooperation signed between General Cherry and Croatian drone manufacturer Orqa to develop and manufacture interceptor drones and C-UAV systems for NATO and allied nations. This partnership marks the first time Ukraine's battlefield-tested counter-drone technology will be available outside the country. Joint manufacturing facilities will be established in both Croatia and Ukraine, combining General Cherry's operational excellence with Orqa's production capabilities.
• Wilcox Industries CorpcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 March 2026Strategic joint venture with US-based Wilcox Industries Corp to manufacture FPV and interceptor drones at Wilcox's production facility in Newington, New Hampshire. The partnership will establish US-based manufacturing using General Cherry's drone technology and Wilcox's manufacturing infrastructure. The agreement targets the US market and Pentagon orders, with plans to achieve Blue UAS certification required for official use by US government agencies. The venture is currently awaiting approval from Ukrainian and US authorities, following coordination with the highest levels of the Ukrainian government.
• Taiwanese component manufacturerssupportingTechnology or IntegrationUkrainian companies including General Cherry are exploring supply chain relationships with Taiwanese component manufacturers to reduce reliance on Chinese parts. The push includes securing components from Taiwan and Japan to reduce dependence on China.

Scale indicators6 records

Direct peers

• Quantum Systems: German manufacturer of electric VTOL UAS (Trinity, Vector) supplying European and Ukrainian armed forces; a direct peer in defense-grade small UAS and tactical reconnaissance drones.
• DroneShield: Australian counter-UAS specialist providing DroneGun, DroneSentry, and RF-based detection systems. Directly comparable in the counter-drone segment where General Cherry fields interceptor drones (AIR, BULLET).
• Shield AI: US-based defense-tech company building autonomous small UAS (V-BAT) and AI pilot software for military reconnaissance and strike missions, with overlapping customer base across Western defense ministries and similar product positioning.
• AeroVironment: AeroVironment manufactures the Switchblade loitering munition, the closest Western analog to General Cherry's FPV kamikaze drones, serving the same US DoD and allied military procurement channels with a comparable product category.
• Tekever: Portuguese defense-tech company producing surveillance and strike UAS, including the AR3 and AR4 net-launch systems, deployed by NATO militaries. Directly competes in small tactical UAS for defense customers.
• UVision Air Ltd. Israeli manufacturer of the Hero series of loitering munitions (Hero-30, Hero-120, Hero-400), directly competing in the kamikaze/strike drone category with multi-mode warheads and similar tactical deployment profiles.

Broad incumbents

• Kratos Defense & Security Solutions: US defense prime producing target drones, tactical UAS (MQM-178 Firejet), and unmanned combat aircraft. A broad incumbent in military unmanned systems across target, training, and tactical categories.
• Anduril Industries: US defense-tech major building autonomous air systems (Ghost, Bolt, Roadrunner), counter-UAS (Roadrunner-M), and broader defense software. A broad incumbent operating across the same end markets with substantially greater capital backing.
• IAI (Israel Aerospace Industries): Israeli defense prime producing the Harop and ROTEM loitering munitions and Mini-Harpy anti-radar drone. A broad incumbent with deep combat validation in loitering/strike UAS, competing for allied defense procurement.
• Elbit Systems: Israeli defense prime offering tactical UAS (THOR, Magni), loitering munitions, and integrated air defense systems. A broad incumbent with overlapping products across multiple defense drone categories.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/generalcherry.fpv
• Instagraminstagram.com/generalcherry.fpv
• Xx.com/generalcherry
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/general-cherry

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about General Cherry