The Netherlands to allocate €500 million for the production of Ukrainian drones
During a visit to Ukraine, Dutch Defence Minister Ruben Brekelmans and State Secretary Guise Tuinman announced the allocation of €500 million for a large-scale drone project. This is part of a €2 billion military aid package for Ukraine that is scheduled to run until 2025.
Here's What We Know
The Dutch officials' visit to Dnipro came the day after a Russian drone attack that killed four people and injured about twenty. Brekelmans and Tuinman also met with the commander of the Ukrainian army on the eastern front to assess the needs of the Ukrainian military.
The Ukrainian side stressed the need for drones, air defence systems and artillery. Brekelmans said that drones "change the situation on the battlefield and save lives". He also said that Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov had made a priority request for drones during his visit to the Netherlands, and that support would now be provided.
During the meeting with Umerov, Dutch officials discussed the rapid delivery of air defence systems, ammunition and maritime equipment, and signed an agreement on cooperation between the defence industries of both countries.
Tuinman stressed that a close partnership in the military sphere would benefit both Ukraine and the Netherlands, as it would allow both countries to use combat experience and increase production of defence products.
Source: Defence Industry Europe
