The European Defense Fund will work with the Ukrainian defense industry for the first time

The European Commission will invest 910 million euros in the European Defense Fund (EDF) as part of the 2024 plan, the press service of the European Union's executive body reported on April 30, writes radiosvoboda.org.

Illustrative photo

Investments in the defense industry, the European Commission specifies, will be aimed at addressing key capability gaps, such as troop mobility and protection against drones, through "innovation and cooperation in European science and industry."

"In addition, for the first time, the Ukrainian defense industry may be involved in EDF projects," the report says.

The Commission adds that enhanced cooperation between the Ukrainian and European defence industries builds on the work of the EU Defence Innovation Office in Kyiv, aimed at further integrating Ukraine into the European defence industrial base.

"The selected proposals support the development of critical capabilities, such as air and missile defence systems and unmanned aerial vehicles, which will enable European armed forces to respond to new threats and protect our citizens, whether by strengthening our collective defence or by supporting our partners, such as Ukraine, in their efforts to protect themselves against foreign aggression," said Andrius Kubilius, Commissioner for Defence and Space.

According to the European Commission, the fourth edition of the EDF has attracted “unprecedented interest” from industry and research organisations across the EU. A total of 299 proposals were submitted by 625 companies from 25 EU Member States or Norway.

Among the selected projects, over 360 million euros were allocated for 39 studies, and another 539 million for 23 capacity-building projects.

The other day, The Washington Post, citing an unnamed European official, reported that European countries are considering increasing support for Ukraine's defense-industrial complex (DIC) instead of direct arms supplies.

In January 2025, the European Commission adopted a five-year work programme under the European Defence Fund (EDF), allocating €1,065 billion for joint defence research and development projects.

The EU established its own defense fund in 2017.

Read also on Newsky "Dozens of Abrams tanks that Australia promised Ukraine last year will be shipped" and look at "Boring Pence" YouTube channels.

To always be aware of events, subscribe to TG channel Newsky. We also recommend current discussions of friends of Ukraine in North America on Rashkin Report YouTube channels.