EU to allocate €6 billion for Ukraine's drone production

"We call it Qualitative Military Edge. It will support investment in the capabilities of the Ukrainian armed forces," von der Leyen said.

Drones role in war

According to the head of the European Commission, Ukraine did not have drones before the start of Russia's full-scale invasion. Today, their use accounts for more than two-thirds of Russian equipment losses.

"That is not just an edge on the battlefield. It is a reminder of the power of human ingenuity in our open societies," von der Leyen said.

Threat from Russia

At the same time, Russia is actively increasing its production of drones, using Iranian Shahed designs. Von der Leyen stressed that Moscow is betting on mass industrial production.

"Saturday, in one single night, Russia sent 800 drones to Ukraine. So ingenuity helped to open a door for Ukraine's defence. But raw industrial might, on the other side may threaten to sweep it closed," warned the head of the European Commission.

New alliance and €6 billion

According to von der Leyen, this is why Europe must use its industrial power to support Ukraine. "We can help transform Ukrainian ingenuity into battlefield advantage – and into joint industrialisation," she said.

She announced that the European Union would allocate €6 billion to the ERA credit program and launch a Drone Alliance.

"Ukraine has the ingenuity. What it needs now is scale. And together, we can provide it: so that Ukraine keeps its edge, and Europe strengthens its own," Ursula von der Leyen emphasized.

The EU has already provided Ukraine with €63 billion in military aid. The total amount is €169 billion.

The EU is now allocating €18 billion to Ukraine from future revenues from frozen Russian assets under the ERA Loans program.