The European Commission and Ukraine’s Ministry of Defene have launched a €161 million cooperation program to accelerate the development of advanced dual-use technologies, strengthen Ukraine’s defence sector, and support long-term resilience.
- Announced at the EU–Ukraine business summit in Brussels on April 23, 2026, the initiative marks a new phase of targeted investment in technologies with both civilian and military applications, including drones, communications and navigation systems, electronic warfare tools, and space technologies.
- The program is backed by €140 million in EU guarantees and €21 million in investment grants. It is expected to mobilize up to €400 million in additional bank financing, supporting both capital investment and operating costs across strategic industries.
- It focuses on aerial, ground, and maritime drones, electronic warfare systems, space technologies, and critical components. It is also designed to support startups and scaleups working in defense and deep-tech sectors as they bring new solutions to market.
“Today, dual-use technologies play a vital role both in defence and in industrial development. Accordingly, such support constitutes an investment in Ukraine’s tangible capabilities: stronger production, enhanced technological capacity, and the development of solutions required for defence. In a broader sense, it is also a contribution to the security of Europe as a whole,” explains Anna Gvozdiar, Adviser to the Minister of Defence of Ukraine.
- Ukraine’s Deputy Defense Minister Sergiy Boyev said the initiative targets technologies already proven on the battlefield and shaping modern warfare. The program will be coordinated by Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense, with implementation support from the National Development Institution.
