Turkey and Belgium Join the Expanding Drone Coalition for Ukraine

In a significant development for international military cooperation, Turkey and Belgium have joined the expanding Drone Coalition that supports Ukraine in its defense against Russian aggression. This announcement was made by Latvia's Defense Minister Andris Spruds during the Drone Summit held in Riga on May 28. The coalition, co-chaired by Latvia and the United Kingdom, plans to allocate a substantial 2.75 billion euros (approximately $3.1 billion) in 2025 as part of its ongoing support for Ukraine. This funding initiative aims to bolster Ukraine's capabilities in the face of continued military escalations. Spruds emphasized the coalition’s growth, stating, "The international Drone Coalition is becoming increasingly stronger — we will be able to deliver more drones to Ukraine while simultaneously strengthening the defense industries of Latvia, the EU, and NATO countries. Our strength lies in unity." This unity is critical as the coalition expands to include 20 member states with the addition of Belgium and Turkey. The Drone Coalition, which officially commenced operations in February 2024, comprises notable countries such as the U.K., Germany, Canada, France, Poland, and Sweden. Each new member, including Turkey and Belgium, is accepted upon approval by existing coalition states as stipulated in its memorandum of understanding. To date, the coalition has pledged a total of 4.5 billion euros (around $5 billion) in aid to Ukraine, with 1.8 billion euros (roughly $2 billion) allocated for 2024 and the aforementioned funding earmarked for 2025. The coalition has been instrumental in enhancing Ukraine's utilization of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), which have played a pivotal role in targeting critical Russian military assets, such as airfields and logistics hubs, across various locations. In a testament to its proactive support, the coalition disbursed 20 million euros (approximately $22.5 million) in March for the acquisition of tactical reconnaissance drones, responding swiftly to a pressing request from Kyiv. This international coalition complements domestic initiatives like Ukraine's "Drone Line", introduced in February to enhance rapid drone integration on the battlefield.