The European Union will allocate 3.3 billion euros to Ukraine for the purchase of missiles and drones

The European Union will allocate an additional €3.3 billion to Ukraine for the purchase of missiles and drones, with the funds expected to reach Kyiv starting on September 18. The announcement was made by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen following a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Brussels intends to use the remaining funds from the SAFE program for joint defense projects with Ukraine. The program allows member states to take out loans on preferential terms, up to a limit of €150 billion. Von der Leyen said the EU aims to combine Ukraine’s combat experience and innovations with European technologies and industrial capacity.

One of the projects under consideration is the “Freya” system, designed to intercept ballistic missiles. It is expected to use the Ukrainian FP-7.X missile and TRML-4D radars produced by German company Hensoldt, capable of detecting and tracking more than 1,500 airborne targets at distances of up to 250 kilometers.

The discussions also addressed the reforms needed for Ukraine’s future financing, as well as the country’s path toward EU accession. The aid is being provided amid rising military spending: Kyiv estimates a record defense budget of $110 billion for 2027 and has announced an additional $27 billion shortfall for military spending in 2026.