Netherlands Pledges €200M for Counter-Drone Systems to Support Ukraine

The Netherlands plans to invest €200 million in counter-drone systems for Ukraine to help intercept and neutralize Russian drone attacks, Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans said during his visit to Kyiv on Sunday.

Brekelmans, who traveled to Ukraine with Commander of the Armed Forces General Onno Eichelsheim, stated that the systems will enable Ukraine to detect, identify, track, and neutralize enemy drones.

The minister also signed a defense cooperation agreement with Ukrainian Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal to jointly produce drones and other defense equipment. The signing, witnessed by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, will allow Dutch and Ukrainian companies to co-produce equipment both in Ukraine and the Netherlands.

Russia continues to use drones widely in its invasion of Ukraine, striking residential buildings, energy facilities, and frontline positions. The Dutch delegation witnessed such attacks firsthand, as Russian Shahed drones struck targets on the first night of their visit.

“This support package helps Ukraine strengthen its defenses against large-scale Russian airstrikes,” Brekelmans said. “Together with Ukraine, we defend freedom and security against Russian aggression. By helping Ukraine, we keep Putin at bay.”

The cooperation is part of Ukraine’s “Build With Ukraine” initiative launched in August, aimed at expanding European co-production of Ukrainian defense technologies. The agreement is also expected to benefit the Dutch defense industry by enhancing production capabilities and security of supply.

While in Kyiv, Brekelmans and Eichelsheim met with President Zelenskyy, Defense Minister Shmyhal, and Chief of Intelligence Kyrylo Budanov. They received briefings on the battlefield situation and opened the new Dutch Defence Cluster at the embassy to coordinate support for Dutch defense companies operating in Ukraine.