Commission approves €6.1 billion to support Ukraine’s air and missile defence and other defence needs

September 11, 2026 by The Sting's Team Leave a Comment

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission.

Today, the European Commission has approved an additional €6.1 billion for Ukraine to procure different defence products in the field of air and missile defence, ammunition, drones and electronic warfare. This essential funding will support Ukraine’s capacity to withstand the continued intensification of Russian ballistic missile and drone strikes.

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission: “Today, we have approved €6.1 billion to help Ukraine procure different defence products in the field of air and missile defence, ammunition, drones and electronic warfare. With this approval, Ukraine can now also purchase the Patriot equipment it needs to better protect its skies from Russia’s indiscriminate attacks. Together with our Member States and NATO, we will continue to deliver for Ukraine while strengthening Europe’s own defence.”

These funds will support the procurement of defence products from both EU and Ukrainian companies. Following agreement by EU Member States on Monday, the decision also enables Ukraine to procure PAC-3 missiles for Patriot systems. Funded under the €90 billion Ukraine Support Loan, the package includes five derogations from standard eligibility conditions: three for Ukrainian-made drones and components exceeding cost thresholds, and two for US-made equipment, in particular PAC-3 missiles, including via the NATO-coordinated PURL mechanism.

The Ukraine Support Loan includes €30 billion for budgetary aid and €60 billion for defence across 2026-2027. With this approval, the €28.3 billion for Ukraine’s 2026 defence support has now been fully allocated, defining precise equipment procurements, selected suppliers, required quantities and implementation timelines.

Ukraine’s military edge depends on the rapid availability of critical products in the required quantities and within very short timeframes. Accelerating EU deliveries through destocking, reprioritising orders and ramping up the production remains crucial.

The Commission has already disbursed €8.35 billion in defence funding for Ukraine this year, and more will soon follow.

Next steps

Before releasing funds, the Commission is reviewing the contracts to ensure compliance with conditions set in the Ukraine Support Loan and the procurement terms agreed with Member States.

Background

In February 2026, the European Parliament and the Council adopted Regulation (EU) 2026/467 establishing the Ukraine Support Loan. The Regulation provides for up to €90 billion in support to Ukraine. The support is structured around two complementary components: assistance to strengthen Ukraine’s defence capabilities and defence industrial capacities, and support to ensure the continued functioning of the state, maintain essential public services and strengthen economic resilience.

Following Ukraine’s submission of its Financing Strategy in March 2026, the Council adopted, on 23 April 2026, an Implementing Decision determining the assistance to be made available to Ukraine in 2026. The Decision provides for up to €45 billion in support for 2026, comprising €16.7 billion in budget support and €28.3 billion in support for Ukraine’s defence industrial capacities. The budget support component is split equally between a top-up to the Ukraine Facility and a new Macro Financial Assistance operation, each amounting to up to €8.35 billion.

The defence component focuses on reconstructing and modernising Ukraine’s defence technological and industrial base, while supporting its gradual integration into the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base.

All funding decisions respond to Ukraine’s evolving needs and are subject to agreed conditions and monitoring. Since 2022, the EU and its Member States have provided €220.2 billion in overall support to Ukraine, including €3.8 billion from the proceeds of immobilised Russian assets.

For more information

Ukraine Support Loan

Regulation (EU) 2026/467 – Ukraine Support Loan for 2026 and 2027

Commission implementing decision validating the use of derogations for drones in Ukraine

Macro-Financial Assistance

Macro-Financial Assistance to Ukraine

Ukraine Facility

Factsheet – EU solidarity with Ukraine

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