Latest news with #Sprūds
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Drone coalition pledges €2.75bn to support Ukraine in 2025
The international drone coalition has committed to providing €2.75 billion in 2025 to support Ukraine's defence against Russian aggression. Source: Latvian Ministry of Defence, as reported by the Oboronka project of Mezha Media, a technology and IT news platform within Ukrainska Pravda's holding company Details: Türkiye and Belgium have expressed their intention to join the coalition, which currently comprises 18 countries. Latvian Defence Minister Andris Sprūds announced these developments during the Drone Summit in Riga on 28 May 2025. Sprūds stated that the coalition's expansion will enable increased drone supplies to Ukraine while strengthening the defence industries of Latvia, the EU and NATO countries. Since its establishment on 14 February 2024, the drone coalition has provided significant support to Ukraine, allocating €1.8 billion in 2024. Over two years, total support will reach €4.5 billion. The minister noted that coalition members have collectively contributed approximately €180 million to the UK-led UAV procurement fund. This fund supports centralised drone procurement alongside national support measures by each member country. Latvia plans to allocate €20 million in 2025 for drone purchases within the coalition framework, plus an additional €10 million for collaborative projects with Ukrainian defence companies. In 2024, Latvia contributed €20 million and supplied nearly 5,000 combat drones to Ukraine. Background: The coalition currently includes Latvia, the United Kingdom, Australia, Czechia, Denmark, France, Estonia, Italy, New Zealand, Canada, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Germany, Sweden and Ukraine. With Türkiye and Belgium's accession, membership will grow to 20 countries. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Ukraine to receive 1,500 drones from Latvia
Latvia has committed to sending a further 1,500 combat drones as supplies to Ukraine's Armed Forces. Source: Latvia's Defence Minister Andris Sprūds on X (Twitter), as reported by European Pravda Details: On Tuesday 1 April, Sprūds announced that Latvia will deliver a further 1,500 combat drones to Ukraine. Quote: "Two Latvian companies will provide Ukraine with a total of 12,000 drones worth €17 million as part of an international coalition of drones in the first half of this year," he added. Latvian supplies en route to Ukraine. Photo: Sprūds on X For reference: The drone coalition, led by the United Kingdom and Latvia, was established in January 2024 to enhance Ukraine's unmanned aerial vehicle capabilities. Background: On 24 March, it was reported that the coalition had allocated €20 million from a joint fund to procure tactical-level reconnaissance drones for the Ukrainian defence forces. On 28 March, the Swedish government directed its Armed Forces to contribute funds to coalitions focused on mine clearance and unmanned aerial vehicles under the Ramstein support framework for Kyiv. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
