5 European nations pledge millions to use Ukrainian know-how to make cheap drone defenses

Associated Press (AP)EN 3 min read 100% complete by By SAM McNEIL and CLAUDIA CIOBANUFebruary 21, 2026 at 09:23 AM

AI Summary

medium article 3 min

France, Poland, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Italy (the "E5" nations) have pledged to invest in a program called LEAP to develop low-cost air defense systems and autonomous drones. The initiative, announced Friday in Warsaw, aims to leverage Ukrainian expertise gained from the ongoing war with Russia. This effort is part of a broader European push to bolster border defenses, including a "drone wall," in response to increasing drone incursions. The program will focus on joint production and procurement of drone-based strike capabilities and affordable drone defense systems, incorporating artificial intelligence. The goal is to create cost-effective defenses against low-cost aerial threats, matching the expense of defense to the threat.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz ×260% Luke Pollard 60% NATO 60% Low-Cost Effectors and Autonomous Platforms (LEAP) 70% Italy 70% Germany 70% United Kingdom ×270% France ×280% Poland ×380% Russia ×390% Ukraine ×290%

Keywords

drone defense 100% air defense systems 80% autonomous drones 70% drone warfare 60% military technology 60% joint production 50% nato 40% artificial intelligence 40%