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EU funding to buy Ukrainian drones and air defence
The European Union plans to use a €3.3 billion tranche of its Ukraine Support Loan to fund purchases of drones and air-defence systems for Ukraine. Ukrainian Defence Minister Evgeniy Khmara discussed the immediate procurement priorities with European Commissioner for Defence and Space Andrius Kubilius, stressing the need to accelerate funding so equipment reaches the battlefield faster. The tranche is intended to strengthen Ukrainian airspace protection and meet urgent Defence Forces requirements; the article does not state that procurement is limited to Ukrainian-made systems. Ukraine's remaining 2026 defence-budget shortfall and its 2027 funding needs were discussed separately.