European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a Defence Industrial Partnership to jointly produce drones in Kyiv [1].

The agreement aims to integrate the European Union's industrial capacity with Ukraine's operational experience to bolster regional security. By establishing joint ventures for the production of drones, and related equipment, the partnership seeks to create a sustainable defense supply chain within Europe.

Ursula von der Leyen said that "Kyiv is a net security provider for Europe" [2]. She said the agreement combines the EU's industrial base with Ukraine's battle-tested expertise [3]. This collaboration is intended to scale the production of critical defense technologies while utilizing the real-world data and tactical knowledge gained by Ukrainian forces.

The partnership includes a significant financial component to accelerate the development of military hardware. The deal unlocks €11 billion for the procurement and production of FPV drones, missiles, and Gripen jets [4]. This funding is designed to ensure that both the EU and Ukraine can rapidly iterate on drone designs and manufacturing processes.

According to the agreement, the focus will remain on enhancing the ability to produce high-tech weaponry locally. The partnership marks a shift toward a more integrated defense industrial strategy between the EU and the Ukrainian state, moving beyond simple equipment transfers toward joint development and manufacturing [1].

The deal was finalized during von der Leyen's visit to Kyiv on July 15, 2024 [1].

“Kyiv is a net security provider for Europe.”

This partnership signals a strategic evolution in EU-Ukraine relations, transitioning from a donor-recipient dynamic to a formal industrial alliance. By leveraging Ukraine's frontline expertise in electronic warfare and drone tactics, the EU aims to modernize its own defense industrial base and reduce reliance on non-European suppliers for critical unmanned aerial systems.