The Netherlands pledges €200 million to bolster Ukraine’s anti-drone capabilities – minister
The Netherlands provides €200 million to Ukraine to intercept Russian drones and create a defense industrial cluster in Kyiv.
This announcement was made by Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans, in an exclusive interview with Ukrinform.
He noted that during a two-day visit to Kyiv, the delegation he led announced three initiatives, including a new €200 million support package to help Ukraine bolster its capabilities against Russian drone attacks.
“Last night, there was another major airstrike, which once again proved how much Ukraine needs them, along with ammunition,” Mr. Brekelmans said.
The Netherlands and Ukraine have agreed to begin joint production of drones. The memorandum of cooperation the Dutch Defense Minister signed with his Ukrainian counterpart Denys Shmyhal as part of Build with Ukraine initiative will both facilitate the creation of industrial partnerships between Ukrainian and Dutch companies and increase production in both countries, the Dutch Minister went on to note.
“Thirdly, we have just announced the creation of a Dutch defense cluster in Kyiv. We have lots of companies willing to invest and develop their technologies and potential there, so this will optimize their operations and coordination,” the Dutch Defense Minister said.
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Ukrinform reported that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky held a meeting in Kyiv with the Dutch Minister of Defense Brekelmans on October 10, and the defense ministers of the two countries signed a memorandum on joint production of drones.