Italy eyes joint drone production with Ukraine, Meloni says

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni stated on Wednesday that Italy and Ukraine are exploring joint drone production, following talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Rome. “Italy is very interested in developing joint production, especially in the drone sector, in which Ukraine has become a leading nation in recent years,” Meloni said at a joint news conference. “We discussed how to strengthen defense cooperation.”

Zelenskyy calls for anti-aircraft systems

Zelenskyy briefed Meloni on the battlefield situation, noting that Iranian-made Shahed drones are again targeting Ukrainian skies. “Right now, the Shaheds are in the skies over Ukraine again, there are massive attacks, and we absolutely need additional anti-aircraft systems,” he said. The Ukrainian president added that both countries could work together on producing anti-aircraft defense systems, which are vital to counter drone attacks.

Defense ties deepen

The meeting signals deepening defense cooperation between Italy and Ukraine as Kyiv continues to resist Russian aggression. Meloni’s government has been a strong supporter of Ukraine, providing military aid and political backing. Joint production would mark a significant step beyond traditional arms supplies, leveraging Ukraine’s battlefield experience in drone warfare.