The rapid deployment of first person view drones has been an important step in providing support to Ukraine in their conflict with Russia. Latvia, along with the UK and several other countries, has formed the Drone Capability Coalition to quickly supply Ukraine with these drones. The coalition has already received around €549m in international commitments and has plans to send a second batch of drones soon.
Andris Spruds, the Latvian defense minister, stated that the use of these drones has been highly effective for Ukrainian operators since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. These drones provide situational awareness that allows them to target enemy positions, armored vehicles, and ships with explosive ordnance.
In addition to Latvia and the UK, other countries that have joined the coalition include Australia, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Poland, Sweden, Germany, and the Netherlands. The coalition is working on national procurement to ensure that the funding is used effectively to support Ukraine’s defense efforts.
The use of first person view drones has proven to be a valuable asset for Ukrainian operators on the battlefield. These drones provide real-time imagery and data that can be used to make informed decisions about military operations. They have also been instrumental in identifying enemy positions and providing information about their movements.
