Commission disburses €3.3 billion in defence funding to Ukraine

The European Commission disbursed €3.3 billion to Ukraine for defence procurement under the €90 billion Ukraine Support Loan.

On 18 September, the European Commission disbursed
€3.3 billion
to
Ukraine for defence procurement
under the
€90 billion Ukraine Support Loan
. The payment covers
drones
and
missiles
and will help Ukraine defend its territory and skies against Russia's ongoing aggression.
This is the fourth payment made to Ukraine under the Ukraine Support Loan's defence window. With this disbursement, the Commission will have paid nearly
€15 billion
to Ukraine this year, covering both defence and broader support. The Ukraine Support Loan includes
€30 billion for budgetary aid
and
€60 billion for defence
across 2026-2027.
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.
As announced by President
von der Leyen
in the
State of the Union speech
and yesterday's
call with President Zelenskyy
, the Commission is ready to use remaining funds from the
Security Action for Europe
instrument to launch a
new joint EU-Ukraine programme
. The initiative would develop a European air and missile defence system, building on the existing
Freya anti-ballistic system
. It would combine Ukraine's battlefield experience with Europe's industrial and technological strength.
Next steps
Further payments will follow in line with the rules set out in the Ukraine Support Loan Regulation.
Next week, President
von der Leyen
will attend the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where she will call for increased support for Ukraine, conveying the message that:
"Europe is stepping up. Now others must step up their support too."
Background
Today's disbursement follows the
Commission decision
on 11 September to approve
€6.1 billion
for Ukraine's air and missiles defence and other defence needs, including
PAC-3 missiles
for
Patriot systems
. In February 2026, the European Parliament and the Council adopted
Regulation (EU) 2026/467
, establishing the Ukraine Support Loan, providing up to €90 billion in support to Ukraine. This support has two complementary components: strengthening Ukraine's defence capabilities and defence industrial capacities, and support to maintain essential state functions, public services and economic resilience.
Following Ukraine's submission of its Financing Strategy in March 2026, the Council adopted an
implementing decision
on 23 April 2026, allocating up to €45 billion for 2026. This includes €16.7 billion in budget support, split equally between the
Ukraine Facility
and
Macro Financial Assistance
, with each amounting to up to €8.35 billion, and €28.3 billion for defence industrial capacities.
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 €224.5 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
Today, we will disburse €3.3 billion to help procure drones and missiles under the Ukraine Support Loan. Europe will continue to deliver the support Ukraine needs to defend its people and its territory.
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission
Europe stands shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine in its defence against Russia’s illegal war of aggression. This new payment will deliver critical defence capabilities, including drones and missiles. We will continue to work closely with Ukraine and help it defend its sovereignty and protect its people.
Andrius Kubilius, Commissioner for Defence and Space
Publication date
18 September 2026
Author
Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space