By Martin Banks

Modern wars are won “not only by military strength but by drones and cutting-edge technologies.”

So says Andrius Kubilius, Commissioner for Defence and Space who was speaking after the European Commission and Ukraine signed a major new defence industrial partnership.

The EU says the move marks a “major step forward” in the integration of the European and Ukrainian defence industries.

The Commission also launched the “EU–Ukraine Drone Deal” which seeks to deepen cooperation on drone and counter-drone technologies, and announced a further €1 billion would go to support Ukraine’s drone capabilities.

The two sides say they will promote the joint production of drones and counter-drone systems between Ukraine and EU Member States by the end of 2026.

The agreement aims to rapidly scale up the production and deployment of battle-proven capabilities to counter drones and missiles.

The aim, said the EU, is to protect against low- to mid-range drones and missiles and to deploy at scale battle-proven drone systems that may be stocked outside the territory of Ukraine.

Speaking at the announcement of the deal, Kubilius said, “Ukraine has by far one of the world’s best and most innovative defence.

“Their experience gained on the battlefield has shown that innovation, speed and adaptability are decisive in modern warfare.”

He added, “Today’s wars are won not only by military strength, but by drones, cutting-edge technologies and defence industries capable of rapidly developing and scaling up ‘’good enough solutions’’.

“With our EU defence initiatives already in place, we are now opening a new chapter in EU-Ukraine cooperation: one where we learn more Ukraine, one where Europe’s defence base becomes more innovative, and one where we strengthen our defence readiness to deter and respond to any future security challenges,” said the EU official.

The additional €1 billion to Ukraine for drone procurement represents the second payment under the first €6 billion tranche of the Ukraine Support Loan dedicated to drone procurement.

This, adds the EU is a “key capability enabling Ukraine to withstand Russia’s war of aggression.”

Further comment came from Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission.

The former German defence minister said: “Our defence industrial partnership integrates Ukraine‘s defence economy the same way we integrate our markets: By removing barriers and aligning our standards as quickly as possible – from defence procurement to the protection of intellectual property.”

She added, “Allowing for a closer cooperation of our defence industries and joint ventures.

“Together, we are harnessing our shared industrial strength for our common security.”

Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, also said, “Crucially, this is a two-way street: Europe gains invaluable, real-world operational insights and battle-tested innovation from Ukraine, accelerating our own defence capabilities in ways peacetime development never could.

“Our message is clear: we stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes.”