Ukraine gets green light for €6.1 billion EU defence tranche

The European Commission has approved a €6.1 billion ($7.1 billion) tranche of defence aid for Ukraine, including funding for air defence systems, missiles and other weapons, as well as US-made Patriot interceptors.

The decision, approved on September 11, allows Ukraine to use funds from the EU’s €90 billion ($104 billion) support loan to purchase PAC-3 Patriot interceptors, among the few weapons systems capable of intercepting Russian ballistic missiles, Caliber.Az reports, citing Ukrainian media.

However, the approval does not guarantee the immediate delivery of the missiles. A global shortage of Patriot interceptors persists as Ukraine prepares for a potential new wave of Russian attacks on its energy infrastructure during the winter.

EU member states backed the new defence tranche and the purchase of Patriot interceptors earlier this week, but the measures still required final approval from the European Commission.

EU Defence Commissioner Andrius Kubilius confirmed at a press conference in Brussels on September 11 that the European Commission had approved the measures.

With the latest package, the EU has now approved the full €28.3 billion ($32.9 billion) allocated for Ukraine’s defence under the support loan for 2026.

Of that amount, €8.4 billion ($9.7 billion) has so far been disbursed. Funds can be released only after Ukraine submits receipts for verification. Kubilius said another €4.7 billion ($5.5 billion) is currently being processed.

EU countries approved the €90 billion support loan for Ukraine in April. The package is intended to cover around two-thirds of Kyiv’s defence and budgetary needs in 2026 and 2027 and is to be provided in tranches.

The loan requires Ukraine to purchase weapons from EU member states and Ukraine itself. Any procurement involving items in which more than 35% of the component value originates from third countries requires explicit approval.

Kubilius said five such exemptions had been granted — three allowing Ukrainian companies to source drone components from third countries and two covering US-made components, including PAC-3 Patriot interceptors.

By Vafa Guliyeva