EU allocates almost €1 billion for defense projects, including Ukrainian initiatives

The European Commission has announced this in a statement.

The investments are aimed at addressing gaps in key defense areas, such as military mobility and drone defense, through innovation and collaboration between European research and industrial sectors.

Additionally, for the first time, Ukrainian defense companies are eligible to participate in EDF projects.

“The strengthened cooperation between the Ukrainian and European defence industries, builds on outreach efforts by the EU Defence Innovation Office in Kyiv to foster closer ties and to further integrate Ukraine into the European defence industrial base, reinforcing shared security and innovation objectives,” the statement says.

The European Defence Fund (EDF), with a €7.3 billion budget for 2021–2027, supports EU-wide defense R&D. This year, €45 million is allocated to breakthrough technologies, including METASTEALTH, which develops next-gen stealth materials.

Among the newly selected projects is Ukraine’s Small UAS, focused on developing AI-based advanced aerial systems. Other examples include ENGRTII, bringing together over 45 industrial and research players to develop a next-gen European helicopter by 2030, and EUROSWEEP, which will create a joint autonomous European demining system. Grant agreements are expected to be signed by year-end.

“The resulting projects will be instrumental in shaping the future of European defence, fostering a collaborative and innovative defence ecosystem, and enhancing the EU's strategic capabilities over the next few years,” the message reads.

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