Latvia, along with the UK, has taken the lead in forming the Drone Capability Coalition, an initiative aimed at providing Ukraine with tens of thousands of first person view drones. This coalition has been joined by several other nations, including Australia, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Poland, Sweden, Germany, and the Netherlands. The Latvian defence minister, Andris Spruds, stated that the coalition has received commitments totaling around €549m (£464m) from international partners.
According to Spruds, the coalition is now focusing on effectively utilizing the funding they have received. One of the first steps taken was national procurement in Latvia, where the first batch of drones has already been organized and dispatched to Ukraine. Plans are in place for a second batch to be sent soon to further support Ukraine in their fight against Russian aggression.
Since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia in February 2022, first person view drones have been proven to be highly effective on the battlefield. These drones provide Ukrainian operators with crucial situational awareness, allowing them to target enemy positions, armored vehicles, and ships with precision using explosive ordnance. This technology has been instrumental in helping Ukraine defend itself against the invading forces.