Conflict & Security
EU and Ukraine announce drone production deal
EU chief Ursula von der Leyen announced a drone deal with Ukraine on Wednesday aimed at increasing joint production of battlefield drone technology.
Speaking in Kyiv after receiving an award from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, von der Leyen said the agreement would combine Ukraine’s battlefield experience with Europe’s industrial capacity. She said Europe had technological capacity and secure production sites that could help increase production, while Ukraine had developed drone and anti-drone expertise during more than four years of war with Russia.
The source said Ukraine has already signed similar arrangements with some individual EU countries and Gulf nations. Those deals vary by country, but typically involve Ukraine providing drone technology blueprints in return for royalties, investment and other military hardware.
Von der Leyen did not give details on whether the EU-Ukraine agreement involved new funding. She said joint production could help both defence industrial bases increase investment and output.
The EU is seeking to strengthen its drone capabilities after a series of incursions in countries along its eastern border near Ukraine and Russia. Von der Leyen told Zelensky that Ukraine’s experience with drone and anti-drone systems was unique and should be used jointly because of the threats Europe faces.
At a press conference with von der Leyen, Zelensky called the agreement a historic step in relations and urged Europe to provide more support for Ukraine’s anti-ballistic missile programme. An air alert sounded shortly after the press conference ended.
Europe is Ukraine’s main backer in its war against Russia. The source said Europe has recently begun paying out a 90-billion-euro, or $103-billion, loan to help Kyiv arm its troops and cover budget gaps. An initial six billion euros from the loan is being used to help increase Ukraine’s drone production.
Drones are a central part of the front line in Ukraine and have caused heavy losses among attacking Russian forces. Kyiv has also developed its ability to shoot down Russian attack drones targeting cities.
Zelensky said Ukraine is now producing 10 million drones a year and aims to double that output with its partners.
Update
Von der Leyen said the deal would combine Ukrainian drone expertise with Europe’s industrial scale and secure production sites.
The source says similar Ukrainian drone technology deals with individual EU countries and Gulf nations typically involve blueprints in exchange for royalties, investment and military hardware.
Von der Leyen did not give details on any new funding linked to the deal.
Zelensky called the deal a historic step and asked Europe to help finance Ukraine’s anti-ballistic missile programme.
An air alert sounded shortly after the press conference ended.
Europe has recently started paying out a 90-billion-euro loan to Ukraine, with an initial six billion euros going toward increasing Ukrainian drone production.
Source note: AFP news report published on 15 July 2026 at 18:15:02 UTC.
Update
Von der Leyen said the deal would combine Ukraine's battlefield knowledge with Europe's industrial scale and secure production sites.
The source says Ukraine has signed similar drone-related deals with some individual EU countries and Gulf nations.
The source says such deals typically involve Ukraine providing drone blueprints in exchange for royalties, investments and other military hardware, though they are adapted to each country.
Von der Leyen did not give details on whether the EU-Ukraine deal includes new funding.
The source says Europe has recently started paying out a 90-billion-euro loan for Ukraine, with an initial six billion euros going toward increasing Ukraine's drone production.
Zelensky said Ukraine is producing 10 million drones a year and aims to double output.
Source note: AFP news report published on 15 July 2026 at 11:39:39 UTC.
Update
The EU chief was Ursula von der Leyen.
Von der Leyen announced the deal in Kyiv.
She said the deal would boost joint production of drone technology.
She made the announcement after receiving an award from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Von der Leyen said the deal would bring together Ukrainian ingenuity and Europe's industrial scale.
Source note: AFP news report published on 15 July 2026 at 11:17:09 UTC.
Uncertainty notes
The source does not say how much, if any, new funding is involved in the drone deal.
Source
AFP news report published on .