On July 7 in Ankara, Ukraine expanded the format of the Drone Deal, an international initiative for the joint production and procurement of drones to strengthen the state’s defense capabilities. President Volodymyr Zelensky signed relevant documents with Dutch Prime Minister Rob Etienne and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen.
The total number of drone deals in Ukraine has increasedto nine.Previously, Ukraine’s partners were: Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Azerbaijan, Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia. The format provides for joint production of drones, development of defense technologies and means of air defense, as well as systematic exchange of experience.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy placed special emphasis on cooperation with Copenhagen: it was with Denmark that Ukraine once began co-production of weapons according to the so-called “Danish model”, and now the partners will gain access to Ukrainian defense exports. In addition to the defense topic, the leaders also discussed a possible increase in supplies of F-16 fighters and new military assistance packages.
On the eve of the Dutch Defense Minister Dylan Jesielgos-Zegerius stated that The Hague can no longer increase direct military assistance to Kyiv, as it has exhausted its capabilities. Therefore, the Drone Deal can be considered as an alternative channel of support: instead of direct supplies, joint production.
In parallel, Kyiv is negotiating a similar agreement with Canada.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy also held meetings with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, with whom he also discussed the prospect of concluding the Drone Deal.
The President’s Office notes that the Drone Deal is a long-term international cooperation initiative and agreement format. It was proposed by Ukraine in early 2026 with the aim of exporting combat experience, innovations, and technologies.
As previously reported, the Charter National Guard Brigade transformed M113 armored personnel carrier on a robotic machine for remote demining: this is another option for using the equipment without risk to personnel.
