This month, Latvia will deliver more than 2,500 military drones to Ukraine, manufactured by seven Latvian companies. Notably, Kiev will receive the first batch of 300 UAVs in the “coming days”.
The €4 million ($4.34 million) aid package is expected to bring thousands of UAVs of various types and capabilities to the Ukrainian frontline.
The information was announced by the Latvian Ministry of Defense in a press release last weekend. The latest UAV aid package comes after the Baltic country delivered 135 drones to Ukraine in April and May worth about 1 million euros ($1.08 million).
Latvia, along with the United Kingdom, is leading a 14-nation international coalition formed in mid-February to help Ukraine improve its combat capabilities against UAVs/drones – weapons that have become an important capability on the Ukrainian battlefield.
Ukrainian soldiers receive training in operating UAVs near the Donetsk frontline in November 2023. Photo: Getty.
“Together with members of the international UAV alliance, we are constantly working to supply combat drones of various capabilities to Ukraine in accordance with the current needs and testing requirements of the Ukrainian military,” Latvian Defense Minister Andris Spruds told the Kyiv Independent on July 5.
In addition, Riga is investing in further developing the Baltic state's own drone technology, the minister added.
Earlier in May, Mr. Spruds announced that the Latvian government would invest about 20 million euros ($22 million) in the UAV alliance this year and a similar amount to develop Latvia's drone capabilities.
Ukraine is also working to scale up domestic production, aiming to produce at least 1 million drones by 2024.
Kiev used long-range UAVs to strike deep into Russian territory. The campaign targeted military infrastructure such as airports and logistics, as well as oil refineries and oil storage facilities, according to the Kyiv Independent.
Meanwhile, the international UAV alliance has raised 500 million euros ($542 million) to buy drones for Ukraine. Participating countries are also working to create a common fund to finance faster and more efficient drone production within the group.
Latvia, one of the three Baltic states, is both an EU and NATO member and has been one of Kiev's strongest supporters since Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine.
Minh Duc (According to Defense Post, Kyiv Independent)
Source: https://www.nguoiduatin.vn/ukraine-sap-duoc-dong-minh-vung-baltic-bom-them-hang-nghin-uav-a672294.html
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