The Netherlands will allocate 400 million euros for the development and production of drones jointly with Ukraine.
This was announced during a visit to Kharkiv by Defence Minister Ruben Brekelmans, according to the website of the Dutch Ministry of Defence.
According to the report, the Netherlands will continue to play a leading role in supporting Ukraine, so it is allocating about €400 million for drones to develop advanced drones and accelerate the production of successful prototypes.
"The Netherlands has previously played a pioneering role in the supply of F-16s and Patriot systems, and we are now continuing this with advanced drones by investing €400 million in a drone action plan. This covers all types of advanced drones that can be used for reconnaissance, defence and attack. Especially in the air, but also on the land and at sea," he said, adding that half of the drones will be produced in the Netherlands.
If the developments are successful, more funding will be allocated to expand their production.
The Netherlands is a pioneer in the development of unmanned systems, but according to Brekelmans, the experience gained in Ukraine also has added value for high-quality technology in the Netherlands.
"If Dutch knowledge and technology is combined with Ukrainian experience on the battlefield, it will lead to innovative and effective drones. They can really make a difference on the battlefield," the Dutch minister said.
He added that given the importance of drones in modern warfare, their production should be a priority.