The Netherlands is establishing a military alliance with allies, including Britain, to equip Ukraine with modern drone technology and strengthen its offensive capabilities in the conflict against Russia, according to the Dutch defense minister.
The Netherlands’ offer adds to the F-16 fighter planes, artillery, ammunition, and air defense equipment it has delivered to Kyiv.
The Netherlands may incur extra expenditures in addition to the 2 billion euros already budgeted for 2024, Dutch military Minister Kasja Ollongren said Reuters in an interview ahead of two days of NATO military minister meetings in Brussels beginning on Wednesday.
“We know of course that drones are very important in this war,” Ollongren said. “That’s why we are joining the drone coalition that Ukraine has started together with Latvia, together with other countries, to make sure that we do just that – increase production, use the latest technology and to provide exactly what Ukraine needs.”
Ukraine’s Defence Ministry announced Britain’s participation last month.
“We know of course that drones are very important in this war,” Ollongren said. “That’s why we are joining the drone coalition that Ukraine has started together with Latvia, together with other countries, to make sure that we do just that – increase production, use the latest technology and to provide exactly what Ukraine needs.”
Ukraine’s Defence Ministry announced Britain’s participation last month.
Both Britain and the Netherlands had already been helping Ukraine build out its drone fleet.
“What is new is that we are now forming this coalition. So we’re connecting, let’s say, the things that we’re doing separately into one coalition that will be able to respond to the new demands of Ukraine, as they see the battle developing on the frontline. And I think that’s the strength of this coalition,” she said at her offices in The Hague.
Ukraine intends to manufacture thousands of long-range drones capable of deep strikes into Russia in 2024 and already has up to 10 companies working on production, Ukraine’s digital minister, Mykhailo Fedorov, said in a Reuters interview on Monday.
By working together, the coalition will be able to respond to Kyiv’s changing wartime tactics.
“And I think that’s going to be the strength of this coalition, to be able to provide in the very short term what they need,” she said.
Ollongren said the Netherlands will contribute high-tech expertise from the commercial sector but declined to provide technical or financial details.
