Latvian Minister of Defense on Drone Coalition and Ukraine’s Right to Target Russian Territory

Latvia, which co-leads the “drone coalition” together with Great Britain, is preparing the second batch of drones purchased as part of national efforts to support Ukraine. It is also one of the closest partners and allies and has been supporting Ukraine since the first day of the large-scale invasion of Russia.

On this and more in the following overview of the “Army Infrom” interview with the Minister for Defense of Latvia Andris Sprūds.

The Minister stated that it’s important for allies to support Ukraine in different shapes and finance aid initiatives. Latvia itself has set an obligation to provide a specific percentage of GDP for Ukrainian defense needs for 2024, 2025, and 2026.

“Latvia has undertaken such a commitment — 0.25% of our GDP will go to military support for Ukraine this year and the next two years. And, of course, we must constantly look for equipment and weapons for Ukraine,” Sprūds said.

The Minister of Defense also agreed with the Secretary General of NATO Jens Stoltenberg’s remark, made on May 27, calling allies to consider lifting restrictions from Ukraine on using Western weapons to strike military targets on Russian territories.

“Latvia and I personally as the Minister of Defense, and also this is Latvia’s position, we believe that Ukraine has every right to defend itself against aggressor countries,” Sprūds stated. “Ukraine has the right to self-defense. Therefore, when we [Latvia] provide our equipment, Ukraine can use it according to its military-strategic calculations and needs.”

In February 2024, the UK and Latvia announced their leadership of the new Drone Capability Coalition, aimed at quickly delivering tens of thousands of FPV drones to Ukraine.

The UK and Latvia have opened the bidding for companies to supply FPV drones to Ukraine, on behalf of the Drone Capability Coalition. This competition aims to manufacture these drones in large quantities and at an affordable price.

The Minister stressed that at this stage it is important to attract financing.

“Latvia announced a plan and commitment to contribute €20 million this year. Along with this, when we count those countries that have already committed themselves, it is more than €500 million, more precisely, €549 million have already been promised by the member states, partners within the framework of the drone coalition. So the next step is to use that funding effectively, and we’re doing that on several levels,” stated Sprūds.

Latvia has already organized a batch of drones and sent them. Now it is already collecting the second batch of drones, which should soon be sent to Ukraine. At the same time, the drone coalition is starting to implement joint international purchases.

“So far, this is a modest amount of funds, €350,000, but it is the first step,” Sprūds said.