High Representative/Vice-President Kaja Kallas, in a written answer on 22 June 2026, stated that the European Peace Facility (EPF) has not financed any of the drone deliveries mentioned in a parliamentary question by Özlem Demirel (The Left) regarding EU military operation IRINI. Kallas emphasised that IRINI is a Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) operation under the EPF Operations pillar, managed by the Council secretariat, and that the European External Action Service (EEAS) is not in a position to provide information on individual Member State contributions or on funding and reimbursement matters, which should be addressed to the relevant Council bodies.
The answer comes in response to Demirel's question of 18 March 2026, which raised concerns about Italy supplying drones for IRINI and plans to finance up to 60 hours of monthly flight time for US MQ-9 Reaper Block 5 drones through the EPF. Demirel had asked about the type and hours of drones Italy supplied over the past five years, total EU reimbursements to Italy, and the future flat rate per flight hour. Kallas's reply deflects these queries, citing the EEAS's lack of information on national contributions and directing further questions to the Council.
By declining to provide specifics, Kallas effectively shields the Commission and EEAS from scrutiny over the funding arrangements, while confirming that EPF assistance measures have not covered the cited deliveries. The answer leaves open the possibility that future EPF funding for IRINI drones could be decided by the Council without public disclosure of details. The response signals a policy orientation of maintaining operational confidentiality and deferring to Member State control through the Political and Security Committee, potentially limiting transparency for MEPs and the public.