Belgium and Turkey Seek to Join Drone Coalition Backing Ukraine
Belgium and Turkey have signaled their intent to join the international Drone Coalition, a growing alliance of countries supporting Ukraine with unmanned aerial systems and defense technologies. The announcement came during the coalition’s summit held under the auspices of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group.
The Gaze reports on this with reference to Latvia’s Ministry of Defense, which co-leads the coalition alongside the United Kingdom.
Latvian Defense Minister Andris Spruds stated that both Belgium and Turkey had formally expressed interest in joining the initiative. Their accession will require approval from the existing 18 member states.
“The Drone Coalition is expanding. With the inclusion of Belgium and Turkey, it could soon unite 20 nations committed to strengthening Ukraine’s drone capabilities,” Spruds said during the summit.
The coalition, established in February 2024, has emerged as a critical pillar of military aid to Ukraine, with a strong focus on innovation, rapid procurement, and operational interoperability. Over the past year, member states have contributed a total of €1.8 billion in drone-related support, with pledges for 2025 expected to rise to €2.75 billion.
A key feature of the coalition is its centralized procurement fund, jointly managed by the UK, which has received €180 million in contributions to date. This fund is used to acquire advanced drone technologies in a coordinated manner, complementing national-level support efforts.
Latvia, one of the leading contributors, has pledged €30 million to the coalition in 2025: €20 million for drone purchases and €10 million to foster industrial cooperation between Latvian and Ukrainian defense firms.
Recent coalition initiatives include a €20 million package announced in March 2025 for the procurement of tactical reconnaissance drones. Additionally, Norway has agreed to prioritize the production of Ukrainian-built drones under its aid commitments for the year.
As The Gaze reported earlier, on April 12, Norway officially joined the Drone Coalition. The potential accession of Belgium and Turkey underscores the deepening consensus around Ukraine’s long-term defense needs and the growing geopolitical role of drone warfare.