NATO Forms Artillery, Drone “Coalitions” to Supply Equipment to Ukraine

NATO nations supporting Ukraine have formed artillery, drone and demining “coalitions” and handed over 155mm artillery ammunition, drones and drone jamming equipment to Kyiv.

“Our first contribution to the Artillery Coalition will be 155 mm ammunition while our drones and drone jamming equipment will be supplied to the Drone Coalition. Besides all that, we will shortly hand over another package of cold weather gear to Ukraine,” said Lithuanian defence minister Arvydas Anušauskas at a Ukrainain support group meeting in Brussels yesterday.

In addition, Lithuania will hand over armored personnel carriers through the coalition framework to the Armed Forces of Ukraine and contribute €1.2 million for demining.

Protocols of Intent of other assistance coalitions for Ukraine were also signed in Brussels: Lithuania has become a member of coalitions for Artillery and Drone Capability.

He urged the Allies during the NATO-Ukraine Council Wednesday to extend aid to Ukraine for integrating in NATO structures and to update its military capabilities.

Drone Coalition

The Netherlands, along with Sweden and the United Kingdom, has joined the Drone Coalition, a group dedicated to supplying Ukraine with advanced drones to enhance its offensive capabilities. Dutch Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren disclosed that the country might exceed the allocated €2 billion in military aid for 2024 within this coalition. Emphasizing the importance of drones in the conflict, Ollongren stressed that the collaboration would facilitate increased production and utilization of cutting-edge drone technology tailored to Ukraine's specific needs, alongside Latvia and other coalition members.

Initiated by Latvia, the Drone Coalition supports Ukraine in a conflict where drones play a crucial role in military operations. Kateryna Chernohorenko, Ukraine's Deputy Defense Minister, urged participating nations to contribute to software solutions, emphasizing the precedence of technology over human involvement in combat situations.