Netherlands, Ukraine ink deal on joint production of drones

The Netherlands and Ukraine have signed an agreement on the joint production of drones in both countries and an additional funding package worth 250 million euros, Report informs.

The document was signed by the defense ministers of the Netherlands and Ukraine, Ruben Brekelmans and Denys Shmyhal in Brussels on the sidelines of the EU Defense Ministerial Council meeting.

Earlier, before the meeting, Brekelmans announced that the funds would be used to purchase air defense munitions from US stockpiles under the PURL initiative, as well as ammunition for F-16s.

He also noted that there is no contradiction in providing military assistance to Ukraine while a peaceful resolution to the conflict is being discussed.

He argued that, firstly, Russia continues to attack Ukraine, which needs to defend itself, and secondly, easing the pressure on Russia will not force it to agree to a peace settlement.

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The Netherlands, on December 1, pledged to purchase US arms for Kyiv worth 250 million euros ($290 million) under the Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List (PURL), Report informs via The Kyiv Independent.

The PURL initiative, launched earlier this year, enables NATO allies to buy advanced US weaponry for Ukraine.

With the latest package, the Netherlands is purchasing drones, missiles for F-16 fighter jets, and ammunition and equipment for air defense for Ukraine, the Dutch Defense Ministry announced.

The Netherlands was the first country to fund arms for Ukraine under the PURL program in August. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said that Kyiv is set to receive up to $5 billion worth of arms under the initiative by the end of this year.

Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans also announced that he had signed an agreement with his Ukrainian counterpart, Denys Shmyhal, on joint drone production in the two countries.

Last year, the Netherlands began supplying Ukraine with F-16 fighter jets, delivering the last of the promised 24 planes by May 2025.

The Ukrainian Air Force has widely used the fourth-generation U.S.-made planes to intercept Russian missiles during mass aerial strikes, which have once again escalated as winter approaches.

Kyiv has been calling upon its allies to bolster its sky shield in the face of regular Russian drone and missile strikes against Ukrainian cities and energy infrastructure.

"Ukraine urgently needs more support against the heavy Russian air strikes," Brekelmans said. "Even in this critical moment, Ukraine can count on us!"