The framework of “Drone Deal” involved signing of significant defense cooperation agreements by President Volodymyr Zelensky with Estonia, Denmark and the Netherlands. The deals have been hammered out on the margins of the NATO summit in Ankara. The pacts were signed by Zelenskyy together with the prime ministers of Estonia, Mette Michal and Denmark, Rob Jetten, and the Netherlands, Jeroen Wimpey.
The accords are intended to speed up defense cooperation and joint drone production. The President’s government ability to use its war-tested experience in UAS has catapulted Ukraine as one of Europe’s leading security forces. Zelensky pointed out that these collaborations are a major breakthrough and a strong expression of confidence from close allies of Ukraine internationally.
Accelerating Joint Production and Strengthening Regional Air Defense
The signatories to the pact emphasized the advantages to be gained from it for both sides. Kristen Michal, prime minister of Estonia, said in the statement that the agreement provides greater opportunities to the national defense industry and strengthens the country’s defense capabilities. The Government of the Netherlands also pointed out that the agreement is a basis for structural cooperation between the two nations regarding the development of joint drone production.
In addition to the drone technology, Zelensky and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen (on behalf of the Government of Denmark) discussed the strengthening of the air defenses of Europe and the creation of a regional anti-ballistic system. In recent times, Patriot missiles have been in such short supply that this has become a critical priority for Kyiv, which is still facing aerial attacks.
Ukraine has now inked six drone-related defense deals in recent months, including with Baltic countries such as Latvia and Lithuania and Middle East countries. Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney and Finland’s President Alexander Stubb also met with Zelensky on the sidelines of the summit and began preliminary discussions on future cooperation with Ukraine in the field of drones.
