EU Commission President Announces Drone Agreement with Ukraine
Ursula von der Leyen, after receiving an award from President Zelensky in Kyiv, announced a new drone deal that merges Ukraine's combat expertise with Europe's industrial capabilities.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced a "drone agreement" with Ukraine on Tuesday in Kyiv after receiving an award from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. She stated that the agreement would combine Ukrainian ingenuity with European industrial scale.
Ukraine has already signed similar agreements with individual EU member states and Gulf countries. The deals are tailored to each country but typically involve Ukraine sharing drone technology blueprints in exchange for compensation, investments, and other military equipment.
Von der Leyen emphasized that Europe already has vast technological and industrial capacities, as well as secure factories that can help boost production volumes. However, Europe lacks the battle-tested knowledge and experience that Ukraine has accumulated in drone operations and counter-drone systems. She noted that both sides can work on joint production to ensure all system components function and give a boost to both defense industrial bases.
The European Union is seeking to strengthen its drone capabilities in response to military drone incursions into countries bordering Ukraine and Russia. Addressing Zelensky, von der Leyen said Ukraine's knowledge on how to operate drones and counter-drone systems is truly unique and must be used jointly given the threats Europe faces in this area.
Von der Leyen did not provide details on new EU funding for this agreement. Europe is Ukraine's main backer in the war with Russia and recently began gradually allocating funds from a 90 billion euro loan to help Kyiv arm its soldiers and fill its budget deficit. The initial six billion euros from this loan will be used to help increase Ukraine's drone production.
Drones dominate the frontline in Ukraine, inflicting heavy losses on the enemy, and Ukraine has improved its ability to shoot down Russian attack drones. Zelensky said in his speech that Ukraine now produces 10 million drones per year and plans to double that amount, achieving this together with its partners.
