United to win: Drone Coalition member countries establish €45 mln fund for Ukraine
Photo: Victory Drones
The countries involved in the Drone Coalition for Ukraine have signed a Memorandum of Understanding, which outlines the establishment of a shared fund (known as the Drone Coalition Common Fund) worth 45 million euros. This fund will purchase drones to facilitate quick and effective delivery.
The joint statement of the ministers of defense of the coalition member countries reports this.
At the moment, the Netherlands, Great Britain, Latvia, New Zealand, and Sweden have pledged to contribute more than 45 million euros to the common fund and are expecting additional contributions.
"Today, July 10, we, members of the Coalition of Drones, signed a Memorandum of Understanding, which defines the main directions of the Coalition's activities, the management structure, and procurement mechanisms.
With this memorandum, we create a joint drone coalition fund under the leadership of the United Kingdom, which will enable joint procurement for the rapid and efficient delivery of drones," the document said.
The statement emphasizes that the Drone Coalition plans to deliver 1 million FPV drones to Ukraine. Simultaneously, coalition members are also focused on developing various other types of drones, including:
- surveillance,
- combat,
- enhanced with the assistance of artificial intelligence.
In addition, partners will work on countering drones.
"Within the Drone Coalition, we will seek joint procurement initiatives to leverage and expand national industrial capabilities.
We, the member countries of the Drone Coalition, call for additional funding to achieve the coalition's goals. The Drone Coalition remains open to adding other allies and partners," the coalition members said.
It is important to mention that the Drone Coalition's mission is to supply Ukraine with drones and also to assist Ukrainian manufacturers in equipping their armed forces with the most advanced technology.
The Drone Coalition has already made a significant impact by deploying drones to support Ukraine.
For reference:
On January 18, the creation of the Coalition of Drones and Radio-Electronic Warfare was reported.
Latvia initiated the creation of the Coalition. The initiative was announced during a December 2023 meeting between its Minister of Defense, Andris Spruds, and the Minister of Defense of Ukraine, Rustem Umerov.
As of April 2024, the drone coalition led by Latvia has already collected almost 500 million euros to purchase drones for Ukraine.
Latvia also provides a drone testing ground to industrial and military enterprises to continuously improve drone technology.
In addition, Latvia will transfer more than 2,500 drones to Ukraine in July, costing about 4 million euros. The deliveries will take place within the Drone Coalition led by Latvia.
Great Britain announced an industry competition for developing and purchasing FPV drones, which received 265 applications. These applications are currently being evaluated, and the first contracts are expected to be signed in August.
Currently, the International Drone Coalition includes 14 countries – Latvia, Ukraine, Great Britain, Australia, Germany, Denmark, Italy, Canada, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Great Britain, France, Sweden and Estonia.
15-річний юнак із Шостки створив робота-розмінувальника, який може перетворюватися на дрон-камікадзе
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