Latvia prepares to transfer nearly 500 drones to Ukraine

Latvia will provide Ukraine with another batch of its own drones to Ukraine to help the Ukrainian Defense Forces in the war.

Latvian Defense Minister Andris Sprūds mentioned that it refers to 500 drones.

“The next drone package is ready! About 500 Latvian-made drones will support Ukrainians in carrying out various combat missions,” the Minister stated.

He added that these drones are being transferred to the Armed Forces of Ukraine within an international Drone Coalition.

Last month, Latvia also handed over 500 drones to Ukraine.

Latvia is part of the Drone Coalition, which includes 16 countries, namely the UK, Australia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Estonia, Italy, New Zealand, Canada, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Ukraine, Germany, and Sweden.

Coalition member states are working to supply various types of drones, such as reconnaissance and strike drones, AI-powered drones, and counter unmanned aerial systems.

In 2024, the Latvian Ministry of Defense alone allocated €20 million for the needs of the Drone Coalition.

The initiative to establish a drone coalition was announced during a meeting of its Minister of Defense of Latvia with the Minister of Defense of Ukraine in December 2023. On February 17, 2024, a coalition of eight countries was formed.

At the beginning of June, the UK and Latvia opened the bidding for companies to supply FPV drones to Ukraine, on behalf of the Drone Capability Coalition.

The bidding will select manufacturers that can supply drones on a large scale and at an affordable price, using the advantages of Western industry.

On July 10, 2024, the member countries of the Drone Coalition signed a Memorandum of Understanding establishing a special fund of € 45 million.