Two Latvian companies will deliver around 12,000 drones worth €17 million. The step was announced by British Defence Secretary John Healey and Latvian Defense Minister Andris Sprūds at a meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group in Ramstein on January 9.
“The Drone Coalition has made a significant contribution to the development of the Latvian drone industry, security of supply and strengthening of the national economy. The international success of Latvian companies, including the selection of two local companies in the UK drone procurement, confirms the high quality of our technologies,” said Latvian Defense Minister Andris Sprūds.
“The drone industry is constantly adapting, using experience and feedback, and its development is a resource not only for supporting Ukraine, but also for the defense and economy of Latvia. Investments in the defense sector contribute to the return of funding to the national economy, emphasizing the importance of local companies in the national economy and strengthening security,” said Sprūds.
Latvia, in agreeing with the UK to co-lead the drone coalition, agreed last year that the UK would take on the coordination of the coalition’s common fund and joint procurement. The establishment of the fund officially came into effect with its signing on 10 July 2024.
The coalition member states contribute funds to the common fund, which is allocated for joint procurement in support of Ukraine. The Drone Coalition is committed to regular joint procurement to ensure the continuity of supplies of unmanned aerial vehicles to Ukraine. In 2024, Latvia contributed 5 million euros to the common fund.
265 applications were received for the first joint procurement. Experts from the Drone Coalition member states evaluated all applications and selected 30 companies to proceed to the next round. In the second round, the selected applicants met in person with a group of coalition experts to verify the company’s ability to provide the promised products on time, in volume and in quality.
After the second round, 15 companies were sent for tests in Latvia, of which five successfully passed the tests and were selected for the procurement. Two of these five are Latvian entrepreneurs.
The goal of the Drone Coalition member states is to ensure the supply of drones, technological support and assistance in personnel training for Ukraine’s needs. The commitment includes supplying Ukraine with combat drones of various capacities, developed in accordance with the requirements set by the Ukrainian armed forces.
The coalition includes 17 member states: Latvia, the United Kingdom, Ukraine, as well as Australia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Estonia, Italy, New Zealand, Canada, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Germany and Sweden.
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