EU launches Ukraine defence industrial partnership, Drone Deal
The European Commission (EC) and Ukraine signed in Kyiv on July 15 a new defence industrial partnership, marking a major step forward in the integration of the European and Ukrainian defence industries, an EC statement said.
The EC also launched the EU–Ukraine Drone Deal to deepen cooperation on drone and counter-drone technologies.
The Commission paid out a further one billion euro to support Ukraine’s drone capabilities under the 90 billion euro Ukraine Support Loan.
EC President Ursula von der Leyen said: “Our defence industrial partnership integrates Ukraine‘s defence economy the same way we integrate our markets: By removing barriers and aligning our standards as quickly as possible – from defence procurement to the protection of intellectual property. Allowing for a closer cooperation of our defence industries and joint ventures. Together, we are harnessing our shared industrial strength for our common security.”
These initiatives will enable Ukrainian and EU companies to accelerate the development of critical defence capabilities, to strengthen joint industrial production and to work together on EU-funded defence research and development, the EC said.
Building on the existing bilateral drone agreements between Ukraine and EU member states, the new partnership will provide a single, coherent EU–Ukraine framework to facilitate, coordinate and support their full implementation, the statement said.
The EU and Ukraine have agreed to promote the joint production of drones and counter-drone systems between Ukraine and EU Member States by the end of 2026.
The agreement aims to rapidly scale up the production and deployment of battle-proven capabilities to counter drones and missiles, while providing the long-term predictability needed to strengthen investment and expand defence industrial capacity in both Ukraine and the European Union.
This cooperation aims to protect against low- to mid-range drones and missiles, to deploy at scale battle-proven drone systems that may be stocked outside the territory of Ukraine, and to provide both defence industrial bases with the predictability needed to decisively step up investment and production.
Building on this approach, the EU and Ukraine will expand their defence industrial cooperation to the joint production of anti-ballistic missiles by 2028, helping to address critical air defence capability gaps. The partnership will prioritise cost-effective missile systems while continuing to strengthen other essential defence capabilities, including artillery production and key supply chains.
The new partnership will deepen the integration of the European and Ukrainian defence industries by removing barriers to cooperation and accelerating the alignment of standards. Work will advance across key areas, from defence procurement to the protection of intellectual property, enabling companies on both sides to cooperate more seamlessly and strengthen Europe’s common security.
The EU–Ukraine Drone Deal will bring together Europe’s industrial capacity and Ukraine’s expertise in drone innovation. It is built around joint ventures between Ukrainian and European companies. The deal will combine Ukraine’s battlefield-tested capabilities and Europe’s industrial strength and manufacturing scale, supporting targeted technology transfers and investment in dual-use sectors across Ukraine.
The deal will accelerate the development and production of next-generation drones and counter-drone systems, ensuring Ukraine has the capabilities it needs today while strengthening Europe’s defence readiness for the future, the EC said.
The Commission will now work with Ukrainian partners and the European drone community in view of the first meeting of the 18 founding members is scheduled to take place in Brussels in September.
(Photo: © EC Audiovisual Service)
