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Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov held talks with Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans on further defense cooperation in several areas: strengthening aviation, air defense, developing drones, and production.
This was reported on Fedorov’s Telegram channel on January 30.
“The Netherlands is our strategic partner in strengthening and scaling defense technologies. I thanked them for their systematic and consistent support of Ukraine in key areas”, — he wrote.
The ministers discussed the “Drone Line” project initiated by President Volodymyr Zelensky.
“Top UAV units are involved in the initiative — those that have demonstrated high effectiveness on the battlefield. These units already destroy one out of every four targets on the front each month. This project became possible thanks to the active support of the Netherlands, which allocated about €800 million for the program in 2025”, — Fedorov stated.
In June 2025, the Netherlands signed contracts for the production of 600,000 Ukrainian drones under the “Drone Line” initiative. These contracts became part of a Dutch aid package worth more than €675 million. The package also included 100 additional UAV-detection radars and equipment for evacuating the wounded.
Strengthening air defense
Fedorov noted the role of the Netherlands in the PURL initiative aimed at supplying Ukraine with critically important weapons.
“PAC-3 missiles and ammunition for F-16s transferred under PURL packages are already protecting Ukrainian skies during Russian attacks. We count on continued support this year”, — the statement said.
Previously, the Netherlands allocated two aid packages under PURL — a program enabling Ukraine to receive U.S. weapons. The first tranche was $500 million, the second — $250 million, directed toward critical defense assets: air defense systems, F-16s, and other equipment.
Development of drones and production
In October 2025, the defense ministers of Ukraine and the Netherlands signed an agreement launching joint production of deep-strike UAVs in the Netherlands with €110 million in investments under the Build with Ukraine initiative.
“Another important direction is Build with Ukraine. This initiative allows foreign defense companies to create production facilities in Ukraine and rapidly supply the Defense Forces with modern solutions. We are consistently launching production of Ukrainian drones as a joint venture in the Netherlands”, — Fedorov said.
He added that the priority is to minimize bureaucracy, quickly start production, and reliably supply troops with drones.
Strengthening aviation
The ministers agreed to exchange best practices between teams to increase the effectiveness of F-16s — both for air defense and strike operations.
“We are launching systemic changes to take Ukrainian aviation to a new level. We also discussed other areas of cooperation: localization and speeding up repair of Robin radars, delivery of AIM air-defense missiles, and supplying RUTA cruise missiles. I thank the Netherlands for crucial support, trust, and constructive, mutually beneficial cooperation”, — Fedorov concluded.
As ArmyInform reported, in October 2025 Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans visited Odesa to discuss implementation of a €400 million support package to strengthen Ukraine’s maritime security.
