The European Union has released another 1.24 billion euros ($1.39 billion) for Ukrainian-made drones, interceptors, munitions, and missiles as Kyiv expands its domestic defense industry.
The funding was disbursed under the defense component of the Ukraine Support Loan (USL), a broader 90-billion-euro ($100.7 billion) financing package for 2026 and 2027.
The latest tranche will cover weapons produced by Ukrainian companies and is intended to address battlefield requirements while generating additional orders for the country’s defense industry.
With the new payment, Ukraine has received about 12.9 billion euros ($14.4 billion) so far in defense funding through the USL, according to the European Commission.
The funding model gives the country greater control over what it needs to produce and procure as the war continues.
EU Broadens Support
Military funding is only one part of the EU’s support for Ukraine.
Through the EU Military Assistance Mission Ukraine, European countries have trained about 97,000 members of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Training includes combat skills, medical support, demining, logistics, communications, and specialized instruction linked to equipment used by Ukrainian forces.
Brussels is also working to bring Ukraine’s defense industry closer to Europe’s. A defense industrial partnership signed in July 2026 is intended to remove barriers to cooperation and expand joint production, including drones and counter-drone systems by the end of 2026 and anti-ballistic missiles by 2028.
Beyond defense, the EU has provided financial support to keep Ukraine’s government and essential services running. Its Ukraine Facility can provide up to 50 billion euros ($56 billion) from 2024 to 2027 for recovery, reconstruction, public services, investment, and reforms tied to the country’s EU accession process.