Von der Leyen launches EU-Ukraine “Drone Deal” in Kyiv

The president of the European Commission announced that the European Union has agreed on the terms of the so-called “Drone Deal" with Ukraine, marking the beginning of a new partnership in the defence-industrial sector.

Speaking at celebrations marking Ukraine’s Statehood Day in Kyiv, during which she was presented with an honorary medal by Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, EC President Ursula von der Leyen said the agreement would strengthen cooperation between the EU and Ukraine in defence manufacturing.

“That is why I am delighted to launch, together with you, Volodymyr, a new EU-Ukraine Defence Industrial Partnership. What we are signing today is our very own Drone Deal,” she said.

Von der Leyen noted that in recent months Ukraine has signed similar drone agreements with several countries, ranging from Europe to the Middle East, reflecting growing international interest in Ukraine’s battlefield experience.

“The knowledge you have gained on how to work drone and anti-drone systems is truly unique. From the technology and production of the drones to the supply chains needed to sustain the capacity. Or crucially to the knowledge on using radar systems, ground stations or sensors. We must tap into this together,” von der Leyen said.

The EU official also pointed to common threats that the European continent was facing, stating that the EU "must tap into this together. Because we know the threats that Europe faces in this area, we have seen incursions and alerts across many Member States."

The defence deal aims to combine the EU's industrial base with Ukraine's world-leading expertise, which it gained the hard way over the course of the now more than four years of fighting against Russian troops. 

The initiative will be funded by two EU sources: the €90 billion support loan to Ukraine, as well as through the roughly €10 billion still available in the SAFE defence programme.

Several EU countries have signed individual deals with Ukraine so far to tap into its technological ingenuity. The new deal endorsed in Kyiv adds a broader dimension by making the partnership available to all 27 member states.

By Nazrin Sadigova