EU commits €2 billion to boost Ukraine's drone production, says von der Leyen
Photo: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (Getty Images)
The European Commission has agreed with Ukraine to allocate €2 billion for the production of drones. The funding is intended to strengthen defensive capabilities and develop advanced technologies, says President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, ahead of a security meeting of the College of European Commissioners in Brussels.
“A total € 2 billion will be spent on drones now,” von der Leyen said.
She said the funding is intended to help Ukraine strengthen its own defensive capabilities and, at the same time, develop advanced technologies useful for the European Union.
“This allows Ukraine to scale up and to use its full capacity and it will also allow the EU to benefit from this technology,” she explained.
Drone production in Ukraine
Since the start of the full-scale war, Ukraine has significantly increased arms production and the implementation of cutting-edge technologies that are already being used at the front.
According to Ukraine’s Minister of Defence, Denys Shmyhal, Ukrainian weapons production has increased 35-fold since the start of the full-scale war. Ukraine plans to further increase this figure.
In July this year, Ukraine and the American company Swift Beat signed a memorandum to expand drone production. Under it, the Armed Forces of Ukraine will receive the drones needed to destroy missiles.
Ukraine has also agreed with Denmark to launch a joint production line for long-range drones. Meanwhile, talks with the United States are ongoing.
