Luxembourg becomes a member of the international drone coalition for Ukraine

On Thursday, 31 October, members of the management group of the international drone coalition for Ukraine met in Riga for the first time ever to approve the membership of Luxembourg in the coalition.

“The first coalition management group meeting took stock of the coalition’s progress this year and discussed the joint road map for the next three years. I was delighted to see the unanimous support for Luxembourg’s membership, which will definitely deepen our cooperation in terms of drone procurements and innovations,” Defence Minister Andris Sprūds indicated.

After Luxembourg’s accession, the number of coalition’s member states has grown to 17. 

During the coalition’s management group meeting, Ukrainian delegates shared the latest information about fight against the aggressor and their current drone technology needs. According to Ukrainian side, one of the growing concerns in recent months is the support Russia, who is the aggressor, has been receiving from other dictatorships, especially Iran and North Korea. These countries are shipping massive amounts of weapons to Russia, including drones. 

Members of the drone coalition noted the rapid development of drone technologies, which requires to speed up drone deliveries to Ukraine to ensure it can withstand aggressor’s pressure more efficiently and also attack occupying force of the aggressor – Russia. It is, therefore, vital to give Ukraine drone systems that it urgently needs to achieve its operational goals and could, at least partially, assemble itself through Ukrainian industry players. 

Considering these goals, members of the coalition have decided to provide support in 4 ways: through full-scale procurements by coalition, joint international procurements, direct grants to Ukraine and private sector cooperation on the industry level. 

Apart from Latvia, coalition is comprised of the United Kingdom, Australia, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Estonia, Italy, new Zealand, Canada, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Ukraine, Germany and Sweden. 

Member states of the coalition  aim to provide Ukraine with drones that it currently needs. Coalition will also provide technical support and personnel training. Coalition is committed to deliver Ukraine reconnaissance and combat drones that meet the requirements identified by the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

This year Latvia intends to spend around 20 million euro on coalition’s activities. 10 million will be spent on procurements from local manufacturers, 5 million will go toward international procurements together with other members of the coalition. Latvia’s allocation to the international drone coalition will remain at 20 million euro for the 2025. Latvia and Ukraine have also agreed to implement the training of Ukrainian drone pilots in Latvia.

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