Counter-drone for Ukraine: Netherlands provides 200 million euros and agrees co-production

The Dutch government is providing 200 million euros so that the Ukrainian Armed Forces receive modern counter-drone systems. The background is the steadily growing threat from Russian attack drones. Detecting, identifying, tracking and neutralising hostile drones – that is what the unmanned platforms are to achieve.

Defence Minister Ruben Brekelmans made the pledge during a trip to Ukraine, on which he was accompanied by General Onno Eichelsheim, Commander of the Armed Forces.

Alongside counter-drone defence: agreement on drone co-production

In Kyiv, Brekelmans also concluded a cooperation agreement with Ukrainian Defence Minister Denys Shmyhal, under which drones and other defence goods are to be produced jointly. President Volodymyr Zelensky was present at the signing. Ukrainian and Dutch companies will thus in future be allowed to manufacture jointly, both in Ukraine and in the Netherlands.

Russia continues to use drones on a large scale – for reconnaissance and to terrorise the civilian population. Almost every day, Russian Shahed drones strike residential buildings, energy facilities or civilian infrastructure. During the first night of the Dutch visit, too, there were further attacks in which people were killed.

In the Netherlands' view, the new aid package is to make a significant contribution to strengthening Ukrainian air defence. Brekelmans emphasised: “Together with Ukraine, we are defending freedom and security against Russian aggression”. And: “By supporting Ukraine, we keep Putin at a distance and prevent Russia from becoming strong enough to destroy even more of Ukraine – or to threaten the rest of Europe, including the Netherlands.”

Building on “Build With Ukraine”

The cooperation is based on the “Build With Ukraine” programme, which Ukraine launched in August. It aims to build joint manufacturing capacity in Europe for Ukrainian defence equipment.

Under the new agreement, Dutch and Ukrainian firms are to cooperate more closely in the production of defence systems, above all drones. Technologies developed at the front can thus be manufactured in the Netherlands – which increases security of supply and at the same time strengthens the Dutch defence industry. The partnership also enables joint development, research and knowledge transfer; both sides benefit in a classic win-win situation.

Kyiv: launch of the Dutch Defence Cluster

During the visit, Brekelmans and General Eichelsheim were briefed in detail on the course of the war. The programme included meetings with President Zelensky, Defence Minister Shmyhal and intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov, as well as with representatives of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Digital Transformation.

At the Dutch embassy in Kyiv, Brekelmans also officially opened the new Dutch Defence Cluster. The coordination platform is to support Dutch companies in their activities in Ukraine and promote synergies within the defence industry.

Talks in Odesa

The delegation then travelled on to Odesa. There it spoke with Governor Oleh Kiper and with Vice Admiral Oleksiy Neizhpapa, Commander of the Ukrainian Navy, about how to strengthen the Ukrainian naval forces and further expand maritime defence capabilities.

A modern air defence command post visited by the Dutch Defence Minister left a strong impression on him: “I am deeply impressed by how the Ukrainians network radars, jammers and air defence systems in such an effective and intelligent way to optimise their airspace defence system against the ongoing Russian drone attacks. We in the Netherlands can learn a lot from this.”