In February 2024, during the 19th meeting in the 'Ramstein' format, the Drone Coalition was formed at the initiative of Latvia and Ukraine.
Drones have become an inseparable part of modern warfare. Scaling their use is a crucial factor that helps the Defense Forces hold off the Russian onslaught and inflict painful losses on the enemy when they least expect it. The rule 'There are never too many drones' now applies on the battlefield.
This is why, in February 2024, during the 19th 'Ramstein' meeting, the Drone Coalition was established at the initiative of Latvia and Ukraine. Latvia, together with the United Kingdom, coordinates the work of the initiative. Besides the leaders, the Coalition includes 15 more countries: Australia, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Estonia, Italy, New Zealand, Canada, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Germany, and Sweden.
The main goal of the Coalition is to provide Ukrainian Defense Forces with drones and strengthen the defense industries of Ukraine and partner countries to create a technological advantage over the enemy in the long term.
"The Drone Coalition has brought us closer to our goal of achieving asymmetric superiority over the Russians on the battlefield. The fruitful work of partner countries within this initiative is evidence of principle and leadership, as well as the readiness to help increase the number of successful operations by the Defense Forces using these drones," emphasizes the Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine for Digitalization, Kateryna Chernohorenko.
What the Coalition has achieved in nearly a year of work:
- 176 million euros have been accumulated in the Common Fund, to which the Coalition members contribute. The Common Fund holds tenders, which are also tools to find innovative solutions that can be scaled to create an asymmetric advantage over the enemy on the battlefield.
- Two international tenders have been conducted.
- As a result of the first tender, five suppliers of FPVs were selected, who will deliver a total of 30,000 drones to Ukraine over the next six months.
- The second tender focused on improved FPVs and drone interceptors to strengthen the fight against enemy strike drones. For the first time, Ukrainian manufacturers were able to participate in the competition, with almost 20 Ukrainian companies selected.
- The third tender is currently open for applications until March 17. Its focus is on multirotor ISR tactical-level drones to improve situational awareness for the Defense Forces. Ukrainian companies can also participate in this tender via the link (Drone Capability Coalition – Tactical Multirotor ISR UAV).
- More than 2 billion euros in aid have been received from partners, both in the form of drones and financial support for the procurement of drones from both Ukrainian and foreign manufacturers.
- A military testing range has been built in Latvia for testing and evaluating drones. This is a valuable addition to the Coalition ecosystem, increasing the capacity for testing as procurement grows.
- A total of eight capability coalitions have been formed within the framework of the Contact Group for Assistance to Ukraine: the Air Forces Coalition, the Integrated Air and Missile Defense Coalition, the Naval Capabilities Coalition, the Drone Coalition, the IT Coalition, the Artillery Coalition, the Armored and Maneuver Warfare Coalition, and the Demining Coalition.
On January 9, 2025, defense ministers from 14 leading countries and Ukraine agreed on development roadmaps for all coalitions' capabilities. This took place during a meeting of the Coalition Leaders Group within the Contact Group for Ukraine’s Defense (the 'Ramstein' format).
