London will co-lead a coalition to supply drones to Kiev
The United Kingdom announced during a NATO meeting on Thursday that it will co-lead with Latvia the coalition of countries responsible for organizing the delivery of thousands of drones to Ukraine to help fight Russian aggression.
During a visit to Kiev in January, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced an increase in British aid, including 200 million pounds (230 million euros) to provide thousands of military drones to the Ukrainian military.
Ahead of Thursday’s meeting with his NATO counterparts in Brussels, the defense secretary, Grant Shaps, announced that the alliance would result in particular that London would lead with Riga.
In this context, the United Kingdom, through British manufacturers, will organize the production of drones “Scale and Affordable”His ministry said in a press release.
The aim is specifically to produce FPV drones (First person view in English, meaning “immersion piloting”), “Which have proven to be very effective on the ground after a large-scale offensive launched by Russia”, referring to London. Equipped with virtual reality headsets, their pilots can see live images of the terrain as if they were directly on board. “We will give Ukraine the capabilities it needs to defend itself and win this war, to ensure that Putin fails in his illegal and barbaric ambitions.”Mr Shapps declared, as quoted in the press release.
During Thursday’s meeting, Mr Shapps is also due to meet with 13 NATO members, including France and Sweden, candidates for integration into the Atlantic alliance, which will sign an agreement on two programs aimed at increasing military exercises and missile production to replenish the West. Stock and increase aid to Ukraine.
The initiative is announced as the US Congress blocks US aid to Kiev.
