The European Commission has begun disbursing 3.9 billion euros to Ukraine for the procurement of drones. The funds represent the first instalment of a larger defence package under the new Ukraine Support Loan programme, totalling 90 billion euros.
According to a press release from the European Commission, the disbursement is the first part of a defence tranche of approximately 6 billion euros intended for drone procurement. The funding is designed to strengthen Ukraine's defence capability through increased production and acquisition of advanced drone technology. Further disbursements are expected in the coming days as Ukraine's payment requests are processed.
"Ukraine's capacity for innovation is at the heart of its success in resisting Russia's full-scale invasion. That is what we want to support. Today we are releasing a first disbursement of 3.9 billion euros for advanced drone technology to strengthen Ukraine's defence. More disbursements will follow. These investments help Ukraine protect its citizens, defend its sovereignty, and strengthen Europe's security," said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in the press release.
According to the Commission, the support forms part of the Ukraine Support Loan totalling 90 billion euros for the period 2026 to 2027. The programme covers both budget support and financing to strengthen Ukraine's defence industry. In 2026, 28.3 billion euros are planned to be allocated to the country's defence technological and industrial capacity.
Ukraine's Minister of Defence Mykhailo Fedorov wrote on X that the first 3.9 billion euros will be invested directly in expanded defence production.
"These resources will be invested directly in scaling up Ukraine's defence production, by increasing the output of drones and other critical capabilities for our defence forces. It is an investment in Europe's defence industrial capacity and in our collective security," Fedorov wrote.