EU signs defence industrial partnership with Ukraine, launches drone alliance

The European Commission has signed a defence industrial partnership with Ukraine, launched the EU-Ukraine Drone Alliance and disbursed €1 billion as part of the €90 billion Ukraine Support Loan to support Ukraine's drone capabilities.

"As we integrate our markets, we are deepening defence industrial integration. To ensure that our industries can work together smoothly, we will remove obstacles as quickly as possible and align standards, from defence procurement to intellectual property protection. Together, we will leverage our shared industrial capabilities to strengthen our common security," said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

"Ukrainian battlefields have become a laboratory for modern warfare, and Ukrainian innovators are the best of the best," said High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President Kaja Kallas. "That is why joint defence R&D and defence manufacturing with Ukraine is the smartest way to strengthen Europe's defence posture. In addition to EU funding and collective work in areas such as air defence, drones and anti-drone systems, companies also need to communicate with each other, and we are continuously enabling this."

These initiatives will allow Ukrainian and EU companies to accelerate the development of vital defence capabilities, strengthen joint industrial production and cooperate on EU-funded defence R&D.

EU-Ukraine Drone Alliance

The EU-Ukraine Drone Alliance brings together European industrial capacity and Ukrainian expertise in drone innovation. It builds on joint ventures established between Ukrainian and European companies. The Drone Alliance combines Ukraine's battlefield-tested capabilities with Europe's industrial strength and production scale, and drives technology transfer and investment in dual-use sectors across Ukraine.

The Drone Alliance will also accelerate the development and production of the next generation of drones and anti-drone systems. This will ensure that Ukraine gets the capabilities it needs now. At the same time, it will strengthen Europe's future defence preparedness.

The Commission is currently working with Ukrainian partners and the European Drone Community to establish a Drone Alliance. The first meeting of the founding members is planned to take place in Brussels in September.

The Drone Alliance is the first step in a broader model of industrial cooperation. The EU also intends to cooperate on other vital defence capabilities, including missiles and air defence systems. The new partnership will deepen the integration of the European and Ukrainian defence industries, remove barriers to cooperation and accelerate the harmonisation of standards.

One billion euros for drones

The European Commission today disbursed €1 billion for drone procurement under the €90 billion Ukraine Support Loan. Drone systems are a key capability that will enable Ukraine to resist Russia's war of aggression. The Commission has also approved a further €10 billion disbursement plan to finance additional drones, missiles and fighter jets.

BraveTechEU, European Defence Fund and Defence Innovation

The joint initiative "BraveTech EU" between the European Union and Ukraine, which aims to accelerate the deployment of military technology in the Ukrainian defence industry, has also advanced to the next phase. Six companies have been selected to advance promising defence technologies: Soraccel, EdgeX Robotics, Smaesh, Kova Labs, Tempterno Defence and Rannon. The next phase of the programme will see their solutions tested in conditions that reflect the Ukrainian military environment. This will help accelerate the development and deployment of technologies that meet real battlefield needs.

In addition, Ukraine is fully involved in the European Defence Fund and the European Defence Industry Programme, which allow Ukrainian and EU companies to form consortia and participate jointly in defence research and development projects supported by the Fund. The European Defence Fund, with a budget of €7.3 billion for 2021-2027, supports the development of cutting-edge defence capabilities and strengthens cooperation across the European defence industry.

Since the start of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, the EU and its Member States have provided Ukraine and its people with a total of €216.7 billion, including €3.8 billion from the proceeds of Russia's frozen assets. The EU and its Member States have been the largest supporters of Ukraine.