Fincantieri is also among the companies called to participate in one of the most ambitious projects with which the European Union is trying to strengthen its defense supply chain together with Ukraine. In the new EU-Ukraine Drone Deal, signed on 15 July in Kiev by the President of the Commission Ursula von der Leyen and the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the Italian group will also have a role in the new European industrial architecture linked to unmanned systems.
The agreement was created with the aim of bringing together the production capacity of the European industry and the operational experience gained by Ukraine on the battlefield, where drones have taken on a central role in the war against Russia.
An unprecedented industrial integration
The agreement aims to create a synergy between European and Ukrainian industry and support Kiev’s war effort in the short term. In addition to building a common industrial base capable of strengthening European defense in the medium to long term.
Specifically, the agreement provides:
- the joint production of drones and anti-drone systems by the end of 2026;
- extending cooperation to the production of anti-ballistic missiles by 2028;
- the creation of joint ventures between European and Ukrainian companies;
- regulatory alignment on procurement and intellectual property to facilitate industrial cooperation.
For Italian industry, Fincantieri’s involvement is an extremely positive factor, as it is privileged access to a supply chain that Brussels considers strategic for the future of continental security.
Financial resources and unknowns
The Commission has already allocated a further billion euros for the production and purchase of drones. The resources are part of the 90 billion Ukrainian Support Loan and represent the second tranche allocated to unmanned systems, after the 3.9 billion disbursed at the end of June.
At the same time, Brussels announced:
- a 10 billion euro future plan for drones, missiles and fighter planes;
- Ukraine’s entry into the European Defense Fund (7.3 billion for the period 2021-2027);
- participation in the European Defense Industry Program (1.5 billion for the two-year period 2026-2027).
However, an element of uncertainty remains regarding the financial coverage of the new investments announced. According to some sources, part of the resources could come from unused European funds, such as those of the Safe programme, but at the moment there is no official confirmation.
The next steps
The European Commission has clarified that the first meeting of the founding partners will be held in Brussels in September and that there will be 19 entities involved, including European and Ukrainian companies. Reuters and the Commission specifically mention Fincantieri alongside other groups such as Indra Group and Quantum Systems.
The agreement provides for the start of the joint production of drones and anti-drone systems by the end of 2026. By 2028 the collaboration should also extend to anti-ballistic missiles. At the same time, Brussels has allocated an additional €1 billion to the production and purchase of drones as part of the €90 billion loan.
