FPV, bombers, reconnaissance drones, and more: How the Drone Coalition equips the Defence Forces with a technological advantage over the enemy

In February 2024, during the 19th Ramstein meeting, the Drone Coalition was established at the initiative of Latvia and Ukraine.

Drones have become an integral component of modern warfare. Scaling up the deployment of drones is a critical factor that helps the Defence Forces to deter the russian invasion and inflict painful losses on the enemy when they least expect it. The principle that "you can never have too many drones" holds true in modern warfare.

For this reason, the Drone Coalition was established in February 2024 during the 19th Ramstein meeting, initiated by Latvia and Ukraine. Latvia and the United Kingdom are currently coordinating the initiative. In addition to these leading countries, the Coalition includes 15 other members: Australia, Czechia, Denmark, France, Estonia, Italy, New Zealand, Canada, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Germany, and Sweden.

The primary objective of the Coalition is to equip the Defence Forces of Ukraine with drones while strengthening the defense industries of Ukraine and its partner countries to establish a long-term technological advantage over the enemy.

“The Drone Coalition this year has advanced us toward our goal of gaining an asymmetric advantage over the russians on the battlefield. The fruitful collaboration of the partner countries within this initiative throughout the entire period is a testament to their principled leadership, as well as their readiness to increase the number of successful operations by the Defence Forces through the use of these drones,” emphasizes Kateryna Chernohorenko, Deputy Minister of Defence for Digital Development.  

What has been achieved over almost a year of the Coalition's operation:

• EUR 176 million has been accumulated in the Joint Fund, with contributions from Coalition members. Within the framework of the Joint Fund, the Coalition organizes tenders, serving as a tool to identify innovative solutions that can be scaled up to establish an asymmetric advantage over the enemy on the battlefield
• Two international tenders have been conducted.
• As a result of the first tender, five FPV drones suppliers were chosen to supply 30,000 drones to Ukraine over the next six months.
• The second tender was focused on advanced FPV and interceptor drones to bolster the fight against enemy strike drones. For the first time, Ukrainian manufacturers were eligible to participate in the competition, and nearly 20 Ukrainian companies were selected.
• The application process for the third tender has begun and will remain open until March 17. It focuses on tactical-level multi-rotor intelligence, surveillance & reconnaissance drones (ISR) to support the Defence Forces in achieving better situational awareness. Ukrainian companies are also eligible to take part. To participate, please follow the link (Drone Capability Coalition – Tactical Multirotor ISR UAV lot).
• Over EUR 2 billion in assistance has been received from partners, both as UAVs themselves and as financial support for procuring drones, from both Ukrainian and foreign manufacturers.
• A military testing ground was built in Latvia for drone testing and trials. It is a valuable addition to the Coalition's ecosystem, enhancing testing capabilities as procurement expands. 

In total, eight Capability Coalitions have been established within the framework of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group: The Air Force Coalition, the Integrated Air and Missile Defense Coalition, the Maritime Capability Coalition, the Drone Coalition, the IT Coalition, the Artillery Coalition, the Armored Vehicles and Maneuverability Coalition, and the Demining Capability Coalition.

On January 9, 2025, the defense ministers of 14 leading nations, along with Ukraine, coordinated roadmaps for enhancing the capabilities of all the Coalitions. This occurred during a meeting of the Capability Coalition Leaders Group within the framework of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (Ramstein format).