DistantNews
Support us
🇮🇹 Italy /Technology

EU and Ukraine ink "Drone Deal" amid component sourcing controversy

From ANSA · () Italian

Translated from Italian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • The EU and Ukraine have signed a "Drone Deal" to boost industrial synergy in drone production, aiming for joint manufacturing by 2026.
  • Ukraine is transitioning from a buyer to a security provider for Europe, according to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
  • A controversial exception allows Ukraine to purchase drone components from China using EU loan funds, highlighting Europe's current industrial capacity limitations.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced a "Drone Deal" with Ukraine during a visit to Kyiv, aiming to foster industrial synergy and joint production of drones and anti-drone systems. The agreement, backed by a significant portion of a 90 billion euro loan from Brussels, seeks to establish collaborative manufacturing by the end of 2026, with potential expansion to ballistic missile production by 2028.

Every day Ukraine makes Europe stronger. It has moved – in many respects – from being a buyer to becoming a net security provider for Europe. And this also entails a new way of cooperating.

— Ursula von der LeyenHighlighting Ukraine's growing role in European security and the significance of the new drone deal.

Von der Leyen emphasized Ukraine's evolving role, stating, "Every day Ukraine makes Europe stronger. It has moved – in many respects – from being a buyer to becoming a net security provider for Europe." This partnership signifies a strategic shift, positioning Ukraine as a key player in European defense capabilities, particularly in the context of the ongoing conflict with Russia.

However, the deal includes a controversial provision allowing Ukraine to use part of the EU loan to purchase drone components from China. The Financial Times reported this exception, noting that Europe currently lacks the industrial capacity to meet Kyiv's demands. This decision also raises concerns about China's role in supplying arms to both sides of the conflict, despite EU accusations of Beijing facilitating Russia's war effort.

The waiver 'also highlights China's role in supplying armaments to both sides in this conflict that has been going on for over four years, although the EU has accused Beijing of being the main facilitator of Russia's war against Ukraine.'

— Financial TimesReporting on the controversial exception allowing Ukraine to buy components from China.

The European Commission attempted to downplay the significance of the waiver, calling it a "limited exception and not the rule." Meanwhile, von der Leyen focused on the positive aspects of the new agreement during her visit. The first meeting of the 18 founding members of the Drone Deal is scheduled for September in Brussels, with Italian company Fincantieri among the selected European firms.

such derogations represent 'a limited exception and not the rule.'

— EU executiveResponding to questions about the waiver allowing Chinese component purchases.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ANSA in Italian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog