Netherlands commits €400 million into drones for Ukraine defence
The first of the pledged 24 Dutch F-16s has arrived in Ukraine. (Photo: USAF)
The Netherlands has already spent approximately €4 billion so far in military support to Ukraine.
Dutch defence minister Ruben Brekelmans has said the Netherlands will invest €400 million (US$440 million) towards an advanced UAS development plan, according to Reuters. The systems will include defence, offence, and reconnaissance and surveillance types, Brekelmans reportedly said.
The defence minister also confirmed this plan in a letter to the Dutch parliament, dated 6 October 2024. Half of the UAS will be developed in the Netherlands with the other half developed in Ukraine and other countries. This larger figure follows on from June 2024, where it was announced that the Netherlands would spend €60 million on UAVs for Ukraine.
As stated in the letter, the Netherlands has pledged €10 billion in military support to Ukraine since the Russian invasion on 24 February 2024 and has spent approximately €4 billion so far. In 2024, €2 billion in military aid was pledged to Ukraine which – according to Shephard Defence Insight – would be reportedly made up of UAS and ammunition.
The letter also confirmed that the first of the pledged 24 Dutch F-16s had arrived in Ukraine. The timeline for other aircraft to be delivered would happen in the “upcoming months and maybe beginning of next year”, Brekelmans added. According to Shephard Defence Insight, the Netherlands retired its last F-16 aircraft in September 2024.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![What opportunities remain for European airborne early warning requirements?]()
What opportunities remain for European airborne early warning requirements?
With a pending NATO AWACS replacement on the horizon, the demand and market opportunities for airborne early warning aircraft remain strong as countries look to bolster their capabilities, with industry eyeing gaps in the market.
-
![NHI’s NH90: Europe’s multirole helicopter strives to maintain relevance (updated 2026)]()
NHI’s NH90: Europe’s multirole helicopter strives to maintain relevance (updated 2026)
Developed in response to NATO’s needs, NHIndustries’ NH90 remains a cornerstone of European and Middle Eastern fleets – with upgrades planned to extend and improve the capabilities of the versatile and capable platform.
-
![April Drone Digest: Why militaries are rethinking high-end drones]()
April Drone Digest: Why militaries are rethinking high-end drones
From France to Romania, there has been a clear shift away from expensive, vulnerable MALE UAVs in April towards lower-cost, expendable systems. Hard lessons from Ukraine and Iran have driven this shift.
-
![Bundeswehr launches loitering munition spending spree with $2.16 billion unassigned]()
Bundeswehr launches loitering munition spending spree with $2.16 billion unassigned
After months of delays, Rheinmetall has inked a €300 million deal with Germany for its FV-014 drone this week as part of a wider framework contract worth €2.4 billion for loitering munition procurement. Shephard looks at how the as-yet-unawarded funds could be spent.
-
![Can laser-guided rockets and light aircraft help tackle the CUAS cost-curve?]()
Can laser-guided rockets and light aircraft help tackle the CUAS cost-curve?
While the move to integrate lower-cost missiles onto more combat aircraft is long overdue, there is also an opportunity for cheaper turboprop platforms to perform CUAS roles.
