15 July 2026
As part of a new defense-industrial partnership between Ukraine and the European Union, the parties have concluded a bilateral agreement for the joint production of unmanned aerial vehicles.
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, announced this during her speech in Kyiv on the occasion of Ukrainian Statehood Day.
The new drone agreement provides for the establishment of production sites in European countries for the rapid mass production of drones.
“This deal will bring together Ukrainian ingenuity and Europe’s industrial scale. And with this deal, our message is clear: now is the time to invest in Ukraine. Because this means investing in Europe. And to invest in our common security and our common future,” Ursula von der Leyen said.
European factories will receive unique Ukrainian expertise on the practical use of drones and countermeasures, gained on the battlefield.
Ursula von der Leyen and Volodymyr Zelensky. July 15, 2026. Photo credits: Ursula von der Leyen
“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,” the President of the European Commission emphasized.
On June 30, the European Commission began allocating €3.9 billion as the first payment of the €6 billion first tranche. These funds are intended for the purchase of drones.