Drone Deal: EU and Ukraine interlink their defence industries for joint drone production

The European Commission and Ukraine have agreed a new industrial defence partnership, at the heart of which is the EU–Ukraine “Drone Deal”. It is intended to interlink the defence industries of both sides more closely; at the same time, joint production of drones and counter-drone systems is to be accelerated, and later also that of ballistic missiles.

The idea is to combine European industrial capacity with Ukrainian drone know-how; production is to be expanded through joint ventures, technology transfer and joint development. From the EU, Delair, Destinus, Fincantieri, Indra Group, ORQA, Quantum Systems, RSI Europe, Terma and WB Electronics/WB Group are taking part.

Ukrainian partners in the Drone Deal

On the Ukrainian side, participants include Deviro, F-Drones, Greentech Harvest, Scientific production Company Athlon Avia, Skyfall Industries, Tehavtofart Pivden (TAF Industries), Tencore, Uforce and Vyriy Industry.

Our industrial defence partnership integrates the Ukrainian defence economy in the same way as we integrate our markets: by removing obstacles and adapting our standards as quickly as possible – from the procurement of defence goods to the protection of intellectual property. Enabling closer cooperation between our defence industries and joint ventures. Together, we are using our shared industrial strength for our shared security.— Commission President Ursula von der Leyen

In addition, the EU has paid out a further 1 billion euros for Ukraine's drone capabilities. BraveTechEU is also entering its next phase: EdgeX Robotics, Kova Labs, Rannon, Smaesh, Soraccel and Tempterno Defence have been selected to further develop new defence technologies.