The European Union and Ukraine have begun practical work under a drone alliance aimed at accelerating the joint development and production of unmanned aerial vehicles and counter-drone systems, European Commissioner for Defense Andrius Kubilius told journalists, Report's European bureau informs.
According to him, 18 founders, including manufacturers, startups and fast-growing technology companies, participated in the first meeting of the EU-Ukraine Drone Alliance board, with nine representatives from each side.
"This is a historic step forward in making the EU and Ukraine drone alliance a reality," Kubilius said.
Kubilius called the alliance a mechanism for closer integration of the defense industries of the EU and Ukraine. According to him, one of the main tasks will be to accelerate the establishment of joint ventures and production by European and Ukrainian companies.
The alliance should also help implement joint European defense projects in the field of drones and counter-drone systems, including the DECODER and Eastern Flank Watch projects, the European commissioner said.
According to him, EU industry currently produces around 1.5 million drones annually, while Russia has significantly greater production capabilities in the field of unmanned systems. The EU also needs to reduce the time from demand formation to prototype development from several years to several months, he noted.