Netherlands to allocate EUR 60M for drones for Ukraine

The Netherlands is contributing EUR 60 million for the purchase and production of drones for Ukraine.

The Ministry of Defense of the Netherlands said this in a press release following Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren's visit to Ukraine, Ukrinform reports.

"Drones play an important role in the war between Ukraine and Russia. They are an effective addition to other, more traditional, weapon systems. Within the announced support package of 60 million euros, the Netherlands is contributing 20 million euros to the purchase of First Person View drones through the international drone coalition that was set up earlier this year," the press release said.

Of the total package, EUR 17.5 million is intended for the purchase of maritime drones.

"Maritime drones, so-called unmanned surface vessels, have been successful in the Black Sea. Ukraine can produce this type of drones in its own country, so the Netherlands also stimulates local business with this financial contribution," the ministry said.

"These high-tech innovations are also important for the Netherlands. For mutual industry cooperation and as lessons learned for our own armed forces," Ollongren said, summing up the results of her visit to Ukraine.

The remainder of the new military support is intended for bilateral supplies of drones of different types.

"The Dutch industry also benefits from this," the press release said.

Photo: defensie.nl