The ambition of the drone coalition member states is to provide Ukraine with 1 million drones. By signing a letter of intent, the countries pledged to invest in drone production, deliver drones and spare parts, conduct tests, train soldiers, and implement other technical solutions. Latvia pledged to contribute at least EUR 10 million a year to the drone coalition.

Riga also pledged to provide Ukraine with annual military support of 0.25% of its gross domestic product by 2026, and annual support of EUR 5 million for Ukraine’s reconstruction.

Latvia is the first of the Baltic states to sign such an agreement. The country also plans to train at least 4,000 Ukrainian soldiers in 2024, the Defense Ministry said.

The drone coalition

The drone coalition led by Latvia, the U.K., and Sweden also includes Australia, Canada, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Germany, Italy, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Ukraine and Poland.

The drone coalition was founded under the Ukrainian Defence Contact Group (UDCG), a coalition consisting of 56 members from NATO, the EU, and partner nations collaborating to coordinate military assistance to the Ukrainian government in response to Russia’s invasion.

In January, the UDCG established a drone coalition with the goal of enhancing Ukraine's unmanned capabilities. In addition to supplying aerial vehicles, participants are urged to offer spare parts, production services, logistical support, testing facilities, training programs, and related technical solutions for Ukraine.