The EU is preparing defense projects for Ukraine worth 20 billion euros

The European Commission is preparing a call for defense projects, through which it plans to allocate approximately 20 billion euros in unused funds from the SAFE program. The European Union and Ukraine will be able to participate jointly in such projects.

As Kubilius explained, the main objective of the new call for proposals is to expand cooperation with Ukraine in the defense sector and to implement joint projects both in Ukraine and in EU countries.

“The goal of this second call for proposals is to do more together with Ukraine, both in Ukraine and in the EU; for the benefit of both Ukraine and ourselves, given Ukraine’s leading role in defense innovation,” Kubilius said.

The European Commissioner also noted that this year Ukraine’s defense budget has a deficit of 23 billion euros. According to him, this creates a need for further support for Ukraine from international partners.

“The reason for the deficit is the unfulfilled promises made by certain countries during the NATO summit in Ankara to provide more than 40 billion euros,” Kubilius explained.

Incidentally, the European Commission recently announced the allocation of 325 million euros to support five European Defense Projects of Common Interest (EDPCI). Ukraine is participating in four of them.

This was stated by European Commissioner for Defense Andrius Kubilius, according to the European Commission’s website.

European Commissioner Kubilius called on the EU to strengthen Europe’s defense — Anadolu Agency.

Kubilius opened the first meeting of the EU-Ukraine Drone Alliance Council.

UFORCE, the Ukrainian manufacturer of MAGURA maritime drones, has been selected as one of the founding Ukrainian companies of the EU-Ukraine Drone Alliance. The alliance aims to combine battle-tested Ukrainian innovations with Europe’s industrial capabilities to rapidly scale up production and expand the defense sector.

U.S. special forces used Ukrainian Magura maritime drones for the first time during exercises in the Philippines. During the tests, the drone successfully struck and sank a target vessel.

Romania reported that Ukraine had lost control of four maritime drones.