Britain-led coalition to send Ukraine 30K drones

A British-led international coalition announced Thursday that it will supply Ukraine with 30,000 drones, a significant boost for the war-torn nation as questions loom over future U.S. military support.

The drones, worth approximately $55.3 million, are part of contracts facilitated by the Drone Capability Coalition, founded in February by Britain and Latvia to streamline the provision of first-person-view drones to Kyiv.

The coalition’s efforts are also backed by Denmark, the Netherlands, and Sweden. British Defense Secretary John Healey, joined by Latvian Defense Minister Andris Sprūds, revealed the initiative at a Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting held at the U.S. Ramstein Air Base in Germany. This meeting, the last under President Joe Biden’s administration, also saw the U.S. pledge a $500 million military aid package to Ukraine.

Despite being the largest supporter of Ukraine’s defense against Russian aggression, U.S. backing faces potential shifts with President-elect Donald Trump’s impending return to the White House. Trump has criticized U.S. financial aid to Ukraine and has praised Russian President Vladimir Putin, sparking concerns about the continuation of U.S. support. He has also made bold claims about ending the war, recently revising his promise from a 24-hour resolution to a six-month timeline.

In response to possible waning U.S. support, European nations have emphasized their commitment to aiding Ukraine. Healey underscored the coalition’s resolve, stating, “This meeting sends a clear message to Putin about the international community’s unwavering support for Ukraine.”

Latvian Minister Sprūds echoed this sentiment, declaring online, “Our strategic goals are clear: to ensure Ukraine’s needs for armaments and training in 2025.” Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense expressed gratitude for the drone support, stating, “The Capability Coalitions have proven to be an effective mechanism of coordinating international military assistance to Ukraine.”