The Netherlands is financing a 500-million-euro ($541 million) drone project for Ukraine this year to help it defend against the Russian invasion.
It is part of an accelerated allocation of 2 billion euros ($2.16 billion) in military aid for Ukraine, which will be provided this year instead of next.
The entire 3.5 billion euros ($3.79 billion) that Amsterdam promised to Ukraine will be expedited, a spokesperson for Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof said earlier.
“It was important to announce that we are providing €2 billion in accelerated support to Ukraine, including a 500-million-euro drone project,” Dutch Minister of Defence Ruben Brekelmans said, following his visit to Ukraine.
“These drones make a difference on the battlefield and literally save lives.”
Brekelmans added that during his recent visit to the Netherlands, Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov had asked for the drones “with great urgency.”
Additional Elements
In addition to drones, the package includes air defense, ammunition, and maritime equipment.
It also includes agreements to strengthen cooperation between the defense industries of the two countries.
“We can learn a lot from Ukraine’s combat experience and in turn use our capabilities for this. This leads to more innovation and larger-scale production,” Dutch State Secretary of Defence Gijs Tuinman added.
