Latvia Sends Over 500 Drones to Ukraine as Part of International Drone Coalition.

Latvia has shipped more than 500 drones to Ukraine under the aegis of the International Drone Coalition. Latvian Defense Minister Andris Sprūds shared this news, accompanied by photos of the drones packed and ready for shipment.
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A package of over 500 drones is on its way to Ukraine. (Picture source: Latvian MoD)

“A package of over 500 drones is on its way to Ukraine,” Sprūds posted on the social network X. This delivery is part of a broader commitment by the Latvian Ministry of Defense, which announced on July 5 that 300 drones would be delivered to Ukraine in the following days. In total, Ukraine will receive more than 2,500 drones of various types and specifications this month, worth 4 million euros.

The International Drone Coalition, led by Latvia, facilitates these deliveries. The drones are produced by seven Latvian companies, reflecting the country's robust defense manufacturing capabilities.

The Drone Coalition, which currently includes 14 countries, consists of Latvia, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Italy, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, and Sweden. More countries are expected to join this initiative.

In June, the Drone Coalition raised 549 million euros to support Ukraine’s needs for unmanned aerial vehicles. In 2024, Latvia alone allocated 20 million euros to the coalition, half of which is intended for purchasing drones from Latvian manufacturers.

The training initiative of the Drone Coalition was announced during a meeting between the Latvian and Ukrainian Defense Ministers in December 2023. The coalition was officially formed on February 17, 2024, initially comprising eight countries. In early June, the United Kingdom and Latvia initiated the procurement process for FPV drones destined for Ukraine.

Latvia has provided substantial military assistance to Ukraine, including various equipment and armaments. As early as January 2023, Latvia sent 285 cars, valued at nearly one million euros, as part of a lot of more than 1,200 vehicles donated by UkReinis Pozņaks. In August 2022, Latvia also delivered six M109 self-propelled howitzers to Ukraine. In terms of air transport, Latvia provided two Mil Mi-8MTV-1 transport helicopters, two Mil Mi-2 transport helicopters in August 2022, and a Mi-17 helicopter in August 2023, with another one still promised.

Since March 2022, Latvian companies have donated more than 90 unmanned aerial vehicles, delivered to the Ukrainian armed forces by the Latvian Ministry of Defense. In May 2022, more than 45 AtlasPro drones, donated by the public and Latvian companies, were sent, followed by dozens more drones after January 2023.

In terms of air defense, Latvia has provided dozens of Stinger anti-aircraft missile systems to Ukraine since February 2022, along with anti-aircraft guns. Additionally, in the spring of 2023, Latvia delivered dozens of machine guns with ammunition. This diverse assistance underscores Latvia’s continued commitment to supporting Ukraine in its defense against aggression.