The EU executive is expected to unveil around five joint European projects, one Commission official and two diplomats told Contexte.
Two of the projects will focus on drones and air defence; another will seek to strengthen the bloc’s eastern regions, which have recently faced a spate of drone incidents.
The initiative forms part of the Commission’s push for member states to develop, produce and procure critical defence equipment on a large scale through so-called projects of common interest as the bloc seeks to rearm.
France, Italy and Greece had previously opposed using EU funds to set up a common project to help eastern countries counter drones over concerns about technical feasibility and frustration that it was unfair for other regions.
The European Defence Industry Programme has earmarked €325 million of EU funds for such projects, which can also involve Ukrainian and Norwegian companies.
Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also said on 25 June that Ukraine is set to receive €6 billion in the coming days to procure drones under the €90bn EU loan.
