Latvia has sent another batch of strike drones to Ukraine as part of its ongoing commitment under the international Drone Coalition. Latvian Defence Minister Andris Sprūds confirmed that 1,500 combat drones have been delivered to aid the Ukrainian Defence Forces as they continue to repel the Russian invasion. This latest shipment is part of a larger programme involving the production of 12,000 drones by two Latvian firms in the first half of 2025. The current batch is valued at approximately 17 million euros, which is around 14.6 million pounds.
The drones were sent as part of a wider multinational effort led by Latvia and the United Kingdom. The Drone Coalition was launched in February 2024 and now includes 18 countries. These partner nations have pledged to supply Ukraine with a variety of drones, including reconnaissance units, FPV drones, and multirotor bombers, in response to Russia’s continued aerial and ground assaults.
On social media, Minister Sprūds shared photos and video footage of a transport vehicle loaded with boxed drones, heading toward Ukraine. This shipment mirrors a previous batch of 1,500 drones that was dispatched at the beginning of April.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1916891681393180911
The coalition also manages an international procurement fund, led by the United Kingdom. Latvia has so far contributed 5 million euros, equivalent to roughly 4.3 million pounds. The coalition has already earmarked a total of 2 billion euros, or 1.7 billion pounds, to supply Ukraine with up to 100,000 drones over the coming year. These are primarily FPV drones, which are favoured for their precision strike capabilities.
In its first major tender, the coalition selected five drone companies from over 260 manufacturers across Europe. These companies were contracted to produce 30,000 drones worth 45 million euros, which is around 38.5 million pounds. Two of the chosen suppliers are Latvian.
Last year, Latvia sent approximately 5,000 drones to Ukraine, worth 15 million euros, or about 12.8 million pounds. For 2025, the Latvian government plans to spend an additional 20 million euros, close to 17.1 million pounds, to purchase even more drones for the Ukrainian military.
