Drone Coalition sets up fund for rapid delivery of drones to Ukraine: contributions have already exceeded €45 million
Kyiv • UNN
The Drone Coalition for Ukraine has created a fund, which has already received more than €45 million in contributions, to help deliver drones quickly.
The Drone Coalition for Ukraine has created a fund, which has already received more than 45 million euros, for the rapid delivery of drones, the UK Ministry of Defense said on July 10, UNN reports.
Details
"On July 10, we, the members of the Drone Coalition, signed a memorandum of understanding that provides a framework outlining the core activities of the coalition and the governance structure of the procurement mechanisms. With this memorandum of understanding, we are establishing a joint drone coalition fund, led by the UK, to enable joint procurement for the rapid and efficient delivery of drones. So far, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Latvia, New Zealand and Sweden have pledged more than 45 million euros to the joint fund, and additional contributions are expected," the statement said.
It is noted that members of the drone coalition have already provided significant support to Ukraine by supplying drones. "Latvia provides a training ground for testing drones for industry and the military to continuously improve drone technology. The UK has launched an industry competition on behalf of the drone coalition to develop and procure first-person view (FPV) drones, which has received 265 applications. These proposals are currently being evaluated, and the first contracts are expected to be signed in August," the statement said.
The drone coalition reportedly "plans to supply 1 million FPV drones to Ukraine." "At the same time, coalition members are working on other types of unmanned aerial vehicles, such as reconnaissance, strike drones, modernized artificial intelligence drones, and anti-drone weapons," the statement said.
It is noted that through the drone coalition, its members will seek "joint procurement initiatives to utilize and expand national industrial capacity." "We, the countries of the Drone Coalition, encourage additional funding to achieve the goals of the coalition. The Drone Coalition remains open for other Allies and partners to join," the statement added.
