For the first time, Ukraine’s drone industry will be part of a project funded by the European Defense Fund (EDF), the European Commission announced on Wednesday, April 30. The EU is helping fund the project, which will focus on developing a new generation of small drones powered by artificial intelligence. These drones will be able to operate in the air, on land, and at sea.
Ukraine will work with nine other European companies to build this high-tech drone fleet. Right now, Ukraine makes around 4 million drones a year—a number that would likely be much lower without strong support from the EU.
“Under constant attack from Russia, Kyiv has turned to drones to improve its military capabilities, which has significantly changed how war is fought,” said the Commission.
The EDF was created in 2021 to help Europe rely less on foreign weapons technology. This year, it will provide €910 million in funding across 17 areas of defense. Of that, €360 million will go to 39 research projects, and €539 million will support 23 projects focused on building up defense capabilities.
