The European Union's Ambassador to Ukraine, Katarina Maternová, announced that the first tranche of military aid under a new program, amounting to €3.9 billion, is directly earmarked for the production of Ukrainian drones. In an exclusive interview with Ukrainian Radio on 24 July 2026, she stated that the funds are intended to scale up and develop industrial drone manufacturing in Ukraine. Maternová added that new disbursements under the program are expected within the next few weeks, and that total funding under the program in 2026 will amount to approximately €40 billion.
The announcement comes as the EU continues to provide financial and military support to Ukraine amid the ongoing war with Russia. Maternová also discussed assistance to the Kharkiv region in preparing for winter, support for education, public transportation, humanitarian programs, and independent media. She explained how the European Union plans to end its dependence on Russian fossil fuels, though no specific timeline or measures were detailed.
The €3.9 billion tranche represents a significant boost to Ukraine's domestic defense industry, shifting from direct provision of weapons to enabling local production. This approach aims to strengthen Ukraine's long-term self-sufficiency in drone manufacturing, a critical capability in modern warfare. The program benefits Ukrainian defense manufacturers, who will receive direct investment and contracts, and the Ukrainian military, which will gain a more reliable supply of drones. EU taxpayers bear the cost, while Russian forces face a better-equipped adversary. The focus on drones reflects the growing importance of unmanned systems in the conflict, where both sides have extensively used drones for reconnaissance and strikes.