On Wednesday, Latvian Defense Minister Andris Sprūds announced that around 500 drones, produced in Latvia, are ready to be sent to assist the Ukrainian Defense Forces in various combat missions.
"The next drone package is ready! About 500 Latvian-made drones will support Ukrainians in carrying out various combat missions," Sprūds stated in a post on X.
These drones are being transferred as part of an international effort known as the Drone Coalition.
This is the second drone delivery from Latvia to Ukraine in recent months, with another 500 drones handed over last month.
Latvia is an active member of the Drone Coalition, a group of 16 countries including the UK, Australia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Estonia, Italy, New Zealand, Canada, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Ukraine, Germany, and Sweden.
According to Militarnyi, the coalition works to supply Ukraine with various types of drones, including reconnaissance and strike drones, AI-powered drones, and counter unmanned aerial systems.
In 2024, Latvia's Ministry of Defense allocated €20 million specifically for the needs of the Drone Coalition.
The initiative to establish the Drone Coalition was first announced during a meeting between the Defense Ministers of Latvia and Ukraine in December 2023. The coalition officially formed on February 17, 2024, with eight countries initially joining forces.
In June 2024, the UK and Latvia opened bidding for companies to supply FPV (First-Person View) drones to Ukraine, aiming to find manufacturers capable of large-scale production at affordable prices, leveraging Western industry advantages.
On July 10, 2024, the Drone Coalition member countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding, establishing a special fund of €45 million to support the coalition's ongoing efforts.
