Drone coalition to allocate €1.8 billion for Ukraine's Armed Forces this year – Ukraine's defence minister

Khrystyna Bondarieva — Monday, 25 November 2024, 17:53

This year, countries in the international drone coalition will allocate €1.8 billion to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Source: Ukraine’s Defence Minister Rustem Umierov, as reported by European Pravda

The minister revealed that this decision was communicated by partners from Latvia, which co-leads the drone coalition with the United Kingdom.

Quote: "This decision will enable Ukraine to enhance its technological edge on the battlefield and more effectively destroy the enemy." 

Umierov recalled that on 31 October, the coalition's governing group held its first meeting in Riga, bringing together representatives from 17 countries: Australia, the UK, Denmark, Estonia, Italy, Canada, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Germany, New Zealand, Poland, France, the Czech Republic, Sweden and Ukraine.

Specifically, Latvia will allocate €20 million this year to the drone coalition, with at least €10 million directed toward domestic procurement and €5 million for joint coalition purchases.

Additionally, Ukraine signed an agreement with Latvian partners to train Ukrainian military personnel in drone piloting programs.

Background:

  • In June, the UK and Latvia, on behalf of the drone coalition, announced a tender to supply Ukraine with FPV drones worth €352,000.
  • In July, member countries of the drone coalition signed a Memorandum of Understanding, establishing a joint fund of €45 million.

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