The European Commission has begun disbursement of EUR3.9 billion as the first payment under the first tranche of around EUR6 billion dedicated to drone procurement – including interceptor drones.
“This disbursement follows the Commission’s first EUR3.2 billion instalment to Ukraine under the dedicated Macro-Financial Assistance programme made on 25 June,” said the Commission in a press announcement. “Further payments will be made in the coming days until the first tranche for drones is fully covered, in accordance with Ukraine’s payment requests.”
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, said: “Ukraine’s ingenuity is at the heart of its success in resisting Russia’s full-scale invasion. Ingenuity we want to support. Today, we are releasing a first tranche of EUR3.9 billion for advanced drone technology to strengthen Ukraine’s defence. And more will follow. These investments will help Ukraine protect its citizens, defend its sovereignty, and reinforce Europe’s security. Europe stands firmly with Ukraine for as long it takes to achieve a just and lasting peace.”
This is part of the larger EUR90 billion Ukraine Support Loan, which provides EUR30 billion for budgetary aid andEUR€60 billion for defence support across 2026 and 2027. In 2026, EUR28.3 billion of the EUR60 billion defence package will be disbursed to support Ukraine’s defence industrial capacity. Upcoming disbursements will continue to cover drone procurement while extending to ammunition, missiles and air defence systems.
For more information
https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_26_1490
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