The first 500 drones out of 12,000: Latvia sent an aid package to Ukraine

27 February, 2025 A batch of drones for Ukraine. February 2025. Photo credits: Andris Spruds

Latvia has sent a new batch of strike drones to Ukraine as part of the International Drone Coalition. Latvian Defense Minister Andris Spruds announced this. He shared that 500 Latvian-made strike drones are on their way.

This is likely the first batch of 12,000 drones that the Minister recently announced would be delivered to Ukraine. According to Spruds, all drones are to be delivered in the first half of 2025. Two Latvian companies will produce them in the coming months for EUR17 million.

A batch of drones for Ukraine.

February 2025. Photo credits: Andris Spruds

Latvia and the United Kingdom lead the International Drone Coalition. It was formed in February 2024.

It currently includes 17 countries, with Norway recently joining. As part of this initiative, the UK has established an international procurement fund, which Latvia has contributed EUR5 million to. The member states have already promised to provide Ukraine with almost EUR2 billion for drones.

Coalition countries have supplied or will soon supply the Ukrainian military with about 100,000 different strike drones. First of all, this refers to FPV drones. In the first announced international tender, the coalition selected five companies out of over 260 European manufacturers to supply 30,000 drones worth EUR45 million.

Two Latvian manufacturers also received orders.

Latvian Ardlat FPV drone. Latvia. Source: Ardlat Company

Last year, according to Minister Spruds, about 5,000 different Latvian-made drones worth EUR15 million were transferred to the Ukrainian Defense Forces.

This year, Latvia plans to allocate EUR20 million to purchase drones for the Ukrainian military.

The Latvian government plans to provide the Ukrainian Defense Forces with 42 new Patria 6x6 armored personnel carriers.