The Netherlands will send Ukraine improved drone detection radars and medical evacuation vehicles as part of a $202 million military aid package.
Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans said the package should be completed by the end of the year and will help Ukraine detect deadly Russian drones.
The package includes 100 advanced drone radar systems and 20 semiautonomous Ermine CASEVAC modular vehicles used in medical evacuations.
The Netherlands also specified that 80 million euros of the package will go toward supporting the international drone coalition, which works to develop drone technology for Ukraine. The Netherlands had previously invested around 20 million euros in the project.
Mr. Brekelmans has made it clear that drone production and development is the Netherlands’ No. 1 priority when it comes to Ukraine.
The Netherlands recently signed several contracts with Ukrainian manufacturers to build 600,000 drones. The contracts are reportedly worth around 500 million euros.
The Netherlands has been an enthusiastic supporter of Ukraine’s defense since Russia invaded in February 2022. The country has spent at least 10 billion euros on Ukraine’s defense, a figure that could support the Netherlands’ efforts to meet NATO’s proposed defense spending target.
NATO members met Tuesday for the annual summit at The Hague, where national leaders are expected to discuss the proposed 5% defense spending goal.
Some have suggested that member nations be allowed to include Ukraine’s defense contributions when accounting for their total defense spending, a measure that could make it easier for smaller nations to meet the target.
