Sweden and the UK join the drone coalition: new steps in Ukraine's defense strategy

Sweden and the United Kingdom are joining the drone coalition, it was announced during a meeting of the Ramstein Contact Group on Ukraine's defense. The UK's accession means that it will lead the coalition along with Latvia.

The creation of the drone coalition is recognized as a step aimed at saving lives, the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine said. Strengthening and developing the production of unmanned aerial vehicles will be a key factor in transforming the army and implementing the latest technologies in real practice.

"Technology, not people, should fight. The drone coalition will be another step towards realizing this idea. It will save many lives," said Deputy Minister of Defense for Digital Development, Digital Transformation and Digitalization Kateryna Chernogorenko.

The Ministry of Defense has previously drawn the attention of the Allies to Ukraine's need for unmanned systems, electronic warfare equipment and technologies to protect critical infrastructure. In January 2024, Ukraine and Latvia formed a drone and electronic warfare coalition during Latvian Defense Minister Andris Spruds' visit to Kyiv.

Minister of Strategic Industries Oleksandr Kamyshyn said that Ukraine is rapidly developing drone production to compensate for the lack of ammunition. President Zelenskyy also announced his intention to produce one million drones by 2024.

Minister of Digital Transformation Mykhailo Fedorov confirmed the possibility of implementing this plan and added that Ukraine could produce even more such devices.