Portugal and Ukraine have signed a new cooperation agreement focused on the joint production of underwater drones, marking a deepening of ties between the two countries at a time of heightened security and economic cooperation in Europe.
The agreement was confirmed Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro, who said the partnership also includes plans to organise a bilateral economic forum aimed at strengthening business links and industrial collaboration. The deal reflects Portugal’s continued political and strategic support for Ukraine, as well as its interest in expanding cooperation in advanced defence and maritime technologies.
Under the agreement, companies and institutions from both countries will work together on the development and production of underwater drones, a technology that has become increasingly important in modern naval operations. These systems are used for surveillance, mine detection, infrastructure inspection, and defensive operations, particularly in contested maritime environments.
Ukrainian officials have placed growing emphasis on unmanned systems since the start of the war, investing heavily in aerial, surface, and underwater drones as a way to counter larger conventional forces. Portugal’s involvement is seen as a way to combine Ukrainian operational experience with European industrial capacity and technical expertise.
In addition to defence cooperation, the agreement provides for the organisation of an economic forum bringing together government representatives and private sector leaders from both countries. The forum is intended to identify opportunities for investment, reconstruction projects, and long term industrial partnerships, particularly as Ukraine looks toward post war recovery and integration with European markets.
Portuguese officials say the initiative is part of a broader effort to support Ukraine not only militarily but also economically. promoting joint production and business cooperation, Lisbon hopes to contribute to Ukraine’s resilience while creating new opportunities for Portuguese companies in high value sectors.
The announcement comes amid a series of international agreements signed Ukraine with European partners, reflecting sustained diplomatic engagement despite the ongoing conflict. For Portugal, the deal also highlights its strategic focus on maritime innovation, an area closely tied to the country’s geography, naval tradition, and growing technology sector.
While specific details of the production arrangements have not yet been made public, both sides described the agreement as a practical step toward deeper collaboration. Officials stressed that the partnership would be based on mutual benefit and shared expertise rather than simple procurement.
As the conflict in Ukraine continues to reshape European security priorities, the agreement underscores how cooperation on advanced technologies is becoming an increasingly central element of international partnerships.
