EU-Ukraine drone alliance begins work in Brussels
The EU and Ukraine's drone alliance held its first leadership meeting in Brussels, aiming to jointly build up European drone production capacity. Eighteen companies from Ukraine and the EU are taking part.
The European Union and Ukraine's drone alliance began operating in Brussels on Friday, with its leadership structure holding its first meeting. European Commissioner for Defence and Space Andrius Kubilius opened the session, stating that the goal is to jointly build European potential in the drone sector by learning from Ukraine's experience in conducting drone warfare.
The alliance includes 18 companies — nine each from Ukraine and EU countries — selected from roughly 400 applicants. Kubilius called the first meeting a historic step, saying the alliance's task is to help European and Ukrainian defence companies cooperate more closely.
Production gap with Russia
The commissioner noted that European industry currently produces about 1.5 million drones per year, while Russia is capable of manufacturing up to 10 million FPV drones annually, alongside 130,000 jet-powered drones and 1,700 ballistic missiles a year. According to Kubilius, Europe must match these production capabilities, and its production lines need to be ready to rapidly scale up output within weeks if necessary. He added that airspace violations by drones in several EU countries show that Europe needs to develop its capabilities faster.
Planned areas of work
Kubilius explained that the initiative is not only about drone manufacturing volumes but also about adopting Ukraine's approach, which allows for rapid development and deployment of new technologies. He compared the alliance to a kind of academy where lessons from Ukraine's war experience are studied.
Planned tasks include setting up joint ventures and production facilities involving both Ukrainian and European companies, strengthening supply chain security, ensuring production lines are ready for rapid expansion, and speeding up development and procurement of new technologies. The EU also intends to adopt Ukraine's system for coordinating cooperation among drone developers, manufacturers, buyers and operators, drawing on frontline experience. New solutions are to be jointly tested, including under real wartime conditions in Ukraine, with the aim of shortening the time from identifying a need to producing a prototype from several years to just a few months.
