First Tranche of EU’s €90 Billion Loan to Fund Ukrainian Drones

The first tranche of military aid to Ukraine under the European Union’s €90 billion loan will be allocated to the purchase of Ukrainian-made drones.

Andrius Kubilius, European Commissioner for Defense and Space, stated this at a meeting of the European Parliament’s Committee on Security and Defense on April 15, according to European Pravda.

He noted that Ukraine has submitted a request for €28.3 billion in defense aid for 2026.

The initial supply plan will focus specifically on unmanned systems manufactured by the Ukrainian defense industry.

“The first supply plan focuses on drones from Ukraine’s cutting-edge defense industry,” Kubilius noted.

At the same time, the official clarified that during the implementation of subsequent phases of assistance, the EU expects greater involvement from the European defense industry.

The European Commission plans to send Ukraine the first tranche of funds under this loan by the end of the second quarter of 2026.

EU loan

An agreement to provide Ukraine with a €90 billion loan for 2026–2027 was reached at the EU leadership level, but Hungary is blocking its disbursement.

According to the plan, two-thirds of the loan—that is, 60 billion—will go toward military support.

In particular, Ukraine plans to use part of this funding to purchase Swedish Gripen fighter jets. The funds may also be directed toward the purchase of critically important weapons “outside the EU.”

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated at the start of the Ramstein-format contact group meeting on April 15 that alliance countries will provide Ukraine with $60 billion in military support throughout 2026.

This amount is separate from the funding to be provided to the Ukrainian Armed Forces as part of a European Union loan.