The International Drone Capability Coalition, led by the United Kingdom and Latvia, will send 30,000 unmanned aerial vehicles to Ukraine following the signing of contracts worth £45 million. Funding for this initiative comes from the United Kingdom, Denmark, the Netherlands, Latvia, and Sweden.

According to the UK Ministry of Defence, the announcement regarding the delivery of 30,000 drones to Ukraine was made by British Defence Secretary John Healey and Latvian Defence Minister Andris Sprūds. The news was revealed yesterday during the 25th meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group held at Ramstein Air Base, Germany.

The Drone Capability Coalition was conceived to support Ukraine in developing and strengthening its surveillance and attack capabilities using unmanned aerial systems. Among the 30,000 drones scheduled for delivery are FPV (First-Person View) drones, systems that enable the Ukrainian Armed Forces to maneuver beyond Russian air defenses to destroy enemy positions and armored vehicles.

Since their arrival on the battlefield, FPV drones have continually evolved, potentially becoming one of the primary weapon systems for both sides. With their introduction into service, these unmanned aerial vehicles have challenged the capabilities of conventional armored vehicles, particularly tanks.

FPV drones not only exposed vulnerabilities in tanks due to their ability to maneuver at low speeds and strike their weakest points, but the cost-effectiveness of the two systems is overwhelmingly in favor of the drones. These unmanned vehicles can cost between $500 and $1,500, while tanks such as the T-90M, T-80BVM, T-72B3, M1 Abrams, and Leopard 2 cost millions.

Over time, improvements in jamming systems and their broader deployment on battlefields have driven the evolution of FPV drones, which now operate in fiber-optic-controlled versions. Each variant has its advantages and disadvantages, prompting Ukrainian and Russian forces to use them as complementary systems alongside light, medium, and heavy attack drones.

Defence Secretary John Healey stated that alongside the delivery of 30,000 drones, the UK’s commitment is also to “…provide £3 billion annually in military aid for as long as necessary. This will ensure that Ukraine can defend itself and is essential for protecting the UK’s security because the UK’s defense begins in Ukraine…”

Illustrative cover image. Credits: CROWN COPYRIGHT

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