On July 15, the European Union (EU) launched a new defense-industrial partnership and a joint initiative for the production of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with Ukraine, aiming to accelerate arms production, strengthen the European defense industry, and integrate Ukraine’s military-industrial complex more deeply into the EU’s defense system.
This was reported by the “Elchi” European bureau, citing the European Commission.
The initiative is aimed at removing barriers to cooperation between defense companies, aligning standards, and simplifying joint procurement and the creation of joint ventures.
Within the framework of the “EU–Ukraine Drone Deal” program, the parties intend to establish joint production of UAVs and anti-drone systems by the end of the current year, and by 2028, to expand cooperation on the production of missile defense systems, artillery, and key components of the defense industry.
“Our defense-industrial partnership is integrating Ukraine’s defense economy just as we have integrated our markets – by removing barriers and aligning standards as quickly as possible,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in Kyiv.
At the same time, the European Commission has transferred an additional 1 billion euros to Ukraine for the purchase of drones under the 90 billion euro “Ukraine Support Loan” program. This is the second tranche of the first 6 billion euros specifically allocated for the development of unmanned aerial technologies. In addition, the Commission has approved a future financing plan of 10 billion euros, which provides for the purchase of drones, missiles, and combat aircraft.
The European Commission has also announced that Ukraine has finally joined the European Defence Fund (EDF) and the European Defence Industry Reinforcement common procurement Act (EDIP), which will allow Ukrainian and European companies to jointly participate in EU-funded research and the development of new defense technologies.