Latvia to supply over 2,500 drones to Ukraine in July

This was announced by the Latvian Ministry of Defense on Friday, July 5.

Combat drones of various types and purposes, worth about EUR 4 million, were manufactured by seven Latvian companies.

"The first shipment of this batch - 300 drones - will arrive in the next few days," the statement said.

As noted, the Latvian Ministry of Defense has allocated EUR 20 million for 2024 for activities within the drone coalition, of which more than EUR 10 million is for the purchase of UAVs from its own defense industry. FPV drones will be a priority for this year's procurement.

In April and May, the country has already supplied 135 combat drones for various purposes and electronic warfare equipment worth about EUR 1 million to Ukraine.

The Latvian Defense Ministry reminded that 14 countries have joined the drone coalition so far. In addition to Latvia, which leads the coalition, these are Poland, Estonia, Lithuania, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Canada, and Australia. In total, these countries have raised more than EUR 500 million to supply Ukraine with drones and are working to create a joint fund that will allow for faster and more efficient financing of their production.

• On December 12, Latvian Defense Minister Andris Spruds initiated the establishment of a drone coalition during a meeting with Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov in Kyiv.