EU to make first-ever joint weapons purchase, part of which will go to Ukraine
Photo: EU to jointly purchase weapons for the first time in history, with part going to Ukraine (Getty Images)
For the first time in its history, the European Commission has approved funding for the joint purchase of weapons by EU member states, including missiles and ammunition. Some of the money will be used to help Ukraine, according to the European Commission's press service.
The EU funding will support five projects under the European Defence Industry Reinforcement through the Common Procurement Act (EDIRPA), each receiving €60 million from the EU.
The total value of these projects exceeds €11 billion, involving participation from 20 EU member states.
Two projects focus on the joint procurement of Mistral and IRIS-T SLM air defense systems, two on 155 mm caliber ammunition, and one on armored personnel carriers.
The European Commission noted that most of the selected projects also include the procurement of defense products intended for Ukraine. This means the Ukrainian Armed Forces may receive air and missile defense systems as well as ammunition.
Shells for Ukraine from the EU
In March 2023, EU defense and foreign ministers agreed on a plan for the joint procurement of ammunition to supply Ukraine with 1 million shells over the course of a year.
However, in November, the EU announced that it might not fully achieve the target of delivering the promised 1 million artillery shells to Ukraine by March 2024.
Previously, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell stated that the EU was close to fulfilling its commitment to provide Ukraine with a year's worth of artillery shells, with deliveries almost reaching that milestone.
Recently, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that European partners are expected to complete the initiative to supply Ukraine with 1 million shells by the end of the year.
