Netherlands Pledges €500M for Ukraine Drone Project

The Netherlands has committed €500 million to a large-scale drone project for Ukraine as part of a €2 billion acceleration package aimed at strengthening Ukraine’s defenses in 2025.

Dutch Minister Ruben Brekelmans and State Secretary Gijs Tuinman announced the funding during their recent visit to Ukraine.

Russia continues to conduct high-intensity attacks, including a recent drone strike on Dnipro that killed four people and injured around 20. Brekelmans and Tuinman visited the site the next morning while emergency crews were still extinguishing fires.

At the eastern front headquarters, the ministers met with Ukraine’s army commander, who emphasized the urgent need for drones, air defense systems, and artillery. The Netherlands' support priorities align with these requirements.

Brekelmans highlighted the importance of the funding, stating, “It was important to announce that we are providing €2 billion in accelerated support to Ukraine, including a €500 million drone project. These drones make a difference on the battlefield and literally save lives.” He also noted that Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov had urgently requested this support during his recent visit to the Netherlands.

In a separate meeting with Umerov, the Dutch ministers discussed continued cooperation, including additional assistance in air defense, ammunition, and maritime equipment. An agreement was signed to strengthen industrial ties between the two countries.

Tuinman emphasized the benefits of this partnership, stating, “Close cooperation between our industries is good for both countries. We can learn a lot from Ukraine’s combat experience and in turn use our capabilities for this. This leads to more innovation and larger-scale production.”