EU and Ukraine sign drone production deal in Kyiv

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a new Defense Industrial Partnership on Wednesday in Kyiv, formally sealing what von der Leyen called "our very own Drone Deal" during celebrations marking Ukraine's Statehood Day.kyivindependent+2

"What we are signing today is our very own Drone Deal," von der Leyen said in a speech at Saint Michael's Square, calling Ukraine a "net security provider for Europe".x+1

Combining Strengths

The agreement aims to merge the EU's industrial capacity with Ukraine's battlefield expertise in unmanned systems, honed over more than four years of full-scale war with Russia. Funding will draw from two EU sources: the €90 billion support loan to Ukraine and roughly €10 billion still available under the SAFE defence programme. An additional €1 billion in drone funding was released the same day, according to Ukrinform.euronews+1

"In Europe, we already have huge technological and industrial capacity that can be deployed. But we do not have that battle-tested knowledge and expertise that Ukraine has forged," von der Leyen said. "We need to combine our strengths."euronews

Zelenskyy underscored Ukraine's drone prowess: "We are making 10 million drones a year — 10 million. And it will be 20 million. For the first time, Ukraine has fundamentally changed the battlefield."euronews

Broader EU-Wide Scope

While several EU member states, including Germany, Lithuania, and Norway, had already signed bilateral drone cooperation agreements with Ukraine, Wednesday's deal is the first intended to cover all 27 member states and their companies, according to Reuters.france24+2

An innovation in the arrangement allows drones to be built and stored across EU territory, shielding production from Russian strikes. After two to three months, the systems would be transferred to Ukraine or to member states seeking to bolster capabilities on Europe's eastern flank.euronews

What Comes Next

The European Commission plans to eventually expand the partnership to include ballistic and anti-ballistic missile production. Von der Leyen's visit also came amid reports from TVP World that the Commission is preparing a broader combined defense support package for Ukraine worth up to €18 billion.kyivindependent+1

"Now is the time to invest in Ukraine, to invest in Europe, and to invest in our common security and common future," von der Leyen said.euronews