The European Union has signed a new defence industrial partnership with Ukraine, launched a joint drone production initiative and released a further €1 billion to strengthen
Kyiv's drone capabilities, as Brussels deepens military cooperation with Ukraine.
The announcements were made during European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's latest visit to Kyiv, her 11th since Russia's full-scale invasion began.
The new EU-Ukraine Defence Industrial Partnership is intended to integrate Ukraine's defence sector more closely with the European defence industry by reducing regulatory barriers, aligning standards and encouraging joint production.
"Our defence industrial partnership integrates Ukraine's defence economy the same way we integrate our markets," von der Leyen said, adding that closer cooperation would allow defence companies to establish joint ventures and strengthen Europe's collective security.
Under the agreement, Ukraine and EU member states aim to expand the joint production of drones and counter-drone systems by the end of 2026. Officials say the partnership will combine Ukraine's battlefield experience with Europe's industrial capacity to accelerate manufacturing of air defence technologies and other critical military equipment.
The two sides also agreed to extend cooperation to the joint production of anti-ballistic missile systems by 2028, while continuing collaboration on artillery production and key defence supply chains.
Alongside the industrial partnership, the European Commission launched the EU-Ukraine Drone Deal, bringing together European manufacturers and Ukrainian drone developers to speed up production of next-generation unmanned aerial systems.
The initiative is based on partnerships between Ukrainian and European companies, combining Ukraine's combat-tested drone technologies with European manufacturing capabilities. Brussels says it will support technology transfers, investment and joint development of dual-use technologies.
The first meeting of the initiative's 18 founding companies is expected to take place in Brussels in September.
The Commission also approved another €1 billion in funding for Ukraine to procure drones, marking the second payment under the first €6 billion tranche of the EU's €90 billion Ukraine Support Loan dedicated to drone procurement.
The payment follows a €3.2 billion macro-financial assistance package released in June, as well as a separate €3.9 billion payment for drone procurement.
Looking ahead, Brussels has approved plans to allocate a further €10 billion for drones, missiles and fighter aircraft under the broader Ukraine Support Loan programme, highlighting its long-term commitment to strengthening Ukraine's military capabilities.
The Commission also announced progress under BraveTechEU, a joint programme designed to accelerate military technology development. Six companies have been selected to test emerging defence technologies under conditions reflecting the battlefield in Ukraine before potential deployment.
In a further step towards closer integration, Ukraine has been fully associated with both the European Defence Fund and the European Defence Industry Programme, enabling Ukrainian companies to participate alongside EU firms in jointly funded defence research and development projects.
Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022, the EU and its member states say they have provided more than €216 billion in military, financial and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine, including funding generated from proceeds on immobilised Russian assets.