During a surprise visit to Kyiv on October 6th, Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans announced that the Netherlands will be investing 400 million euros ($440 million) in a joint initiative with Ukraine to develop advanced drones. This investment comes at a crucial time for Ukraine, as they continue to face pressure from Russian forces in the east and increased attacks on critical infrastructure ahead of winter. This support is especially important as the conflict has been ongoing for more than two and a half years.
The initiative will focus on a variety of drones, including those for surveillance, defense, and offense. According to Reuters, Brekelmans stated that they will be developing different types of drones to meet Ukraine’s needs, including offensive drones to target military facilities. Approximately half of the investment will remain in the Netherlands, while the rest will be distributed between Ukraine and other countries. If the project is successful, there is potential for additional funds to be allocated for further production.
Since the beginning of the Russian invasion, the Netherlands has committed 10 billion euros ($11.1 billion) in military aid to Ukraine, with four billion already spent. This includes the delivery of 24 F-16 jets, with the first ones already in Ukraine and the rest to be delivered in the coming months. This support from the Netherlands is crucial for Ukraine’s defense and shows their commitment to helping Ukraine in their fight against Russian aggression.
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