Ukrainian proposals to allocate European funding to purchase air defense systems and missiles

The website quoted a European Commission official familiar with the discussions as saying that Kiev proposed allocating funding to purchase anti-ballistic missile systems, in addition to missiles and drones.

The official did not specify whether the purchases would include the American Patriot systems or the French-Italian SAMP/T NG systems, explaining that the discussions are still ongoing and an official list of equipment has not been provided.

The list of new purchases is expected to be prepared before September, while the purchase of American Patriot systems may require special approval from the European Commission.

The terms of the loan stipulate that priority should be given to weapons produced in Ukraine, as well as purchases from companies in the European Union, countries of the European Economic Area and the European Free Trade Association, with the possibility of granting exceptions to purchase weapons from outside this group.

The proposals come in light of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen confirming that the European Union is working with member states and partners to strengthen Ukraine's anti-ballistic missile capabilities.

Vladimir Zelensky recently renewed his calls for Washington to provide Kiev with more Patriot interceptor missiles, while he announced in July that Ukraine would become the first “combat user” of the French-Italian SAMP/T NG systems.

According to an official statement, Kiev intends to order the SAMP/T NG systems as part of the 2026 and 2027 installments of the Ukraine support loan, with their delivery starting next year.

The total EU loan to Ukraine amounts to 90 billion euros, of which 60 billion euros are allocated to defense and defense industry, and 30 billion euros for budget support. It is planned to allocate 28.3 billion euros for defense needs in 2026.

In early August, the European Commission allocated a new batch of 3.47 billion euros, which included long-range drones, Gripen missiles and fighters.