EU and Ukraine launch programme worth over €160 million to advance dual-use technologies

The European Commission and the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine have launched a cooperation initiative to invest in innovative and cutting-edge technologies. The agreement was concluded during the EU–Ukraine business summit in Brussels. 

The initiative marks an important step towards strengthening Ukraine’s resilience, developing its defence industry, and enhancing its defence capabilities. 

Support programme for innovative technologies 

The programme is designed to support strategic sectors of Ukraine’s economy, with a particular emphasis on industries associated with the development of innovative and advanced dual-use technologies. This includes, in particular, aerial, ground and maritime drones, electronic protection systems, space technologies, communications, navigation, critical components, and other fields.
 

“We are launching systematic cooperation with the European Commission on investment in defence innovation. Our efforts are focused on supporting technologies that have already proven effective on the battlefield and are shaping advantage in modern warfare,” said Sergiy Boyev, Deputy Minister of Defence of Ukraine for European Integration, following the signing of the agreement. 

Programme structure 

The agreement provides for the launch of a comprehensive financial programme totalling €161 million:

• €140 million in EU guarantees;
• a further €21 million in EU investment grants. 

This is expected to attract up to €400 million in bank financing, including for capital investment and operating costs. 

“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,” said Anna Gvozdiar, Adviser to the Minister of Defence of Ukraine.