Latvia to deliver over 2,500 drones to Ukraine in July

Latvia will transfer 2,500 drones, worth about EUR4 million, to Ukraine in July as part of the Latvian-led Drone Coalition. Source: European Pravda, citing Latvia's Defence Ministry Quote: "The first shipment of this batch - 300 drones - will arrive [in Ukraine] in the next few days."

Details: These combat drones of different types and for various purposes were reportedly manufactured by 7 Latvian companies.

Quote from Latvia's Defence Minister Andris Spruds: "The Drone Coalition is starting to work... Together with other members of the initiative, we are constantly working to supply Ukraine with combat drones for various purposes in accordance with the current needs and testing requirements of Ukrainian forces. Meanwhile, significant investments are being made in further development and application [of UAVs]."

Details: The Latvian Ministry of Defence has allocated EUR20 million for activities under the Drone Coalition in 2024, including more than EUR10 million for the purchase of drones from the Latvian defence industry.

Latvia transferred 135 combat drones for various purposes and electronic warfare equipment to Ukraine in April and May, with a total value of about EUR1 million. First-Person View (FPV) drones will be a priority for this year's deliveries. The planned purchases are divided into a series of batches, allowing manufacturers to gradually expand production capacity and to adapt and improve UAV designs.

The Latvian Defence Ministry announced that the Drone Coalition now comprises 14 countries. Alongside Latvia, which plays a leading role, the coalition includes neighbouring Estonia and Lithuania, Poland, the UK, Denmark, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Canada, and Australia. Together, these nations have raised over half a billion euros to supply Ukraine with drones and are working to establish a joint fund for faster and more efficient financing of drone production.

Background:

• Earlier, Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said Latvia and Ukraine would work together to increase drone production as part of the Drone Coalition.
• Meanwhile, the Lithuanian Armed Forces plan to develop the potential of reconnaissance drones over the next three years and are purchasing combat drones as an integral part of anti-tank defence.
• The Lithuanian Armed Forces have initiated their first instructor course on the use of FPV drones, drawing on Ukrainian expertise.

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