Netherlands to Allocate €500 Million for Drones and Air Defense for Ukraine, Half via PURL Program
The Dutch government will allocate 500 million euros for drones and air defense systems for Ukraine. Half of the funds will come through the PURL program, increasing the Netherlands' total contribution to 1 billion euros. This will strengthen Ukraine's defense capabilities and foster cooperation in defense innovation.
The government of the Netherlands on Wednesday, June 12, pledged to acquire drones and air defense systems for Ukraine totaling 500 million euros. Half of these funds, specifically 250 million euros, will be allocated through the PURL program.
The purchase of drones, amounting to 250 million euros, will be made from Dutch defense companies. The remaining 250 million euros will be spent within the PURL initiative, which involves supplying American-made weapons to Ukraine. This new commitment increases the Netherlands' total contribution to this initiative to 1 billion euros. Under the PURL program, Kyiv receives equipment and missiles for air defense, as well as ammunition for F-16 fighter jets and other systems.
Additionally, the Netherlands and Ukraine signed a letter of intent for cooperation in defense innovation. On the same day, Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs announced an additional contribution of 7 million euros from his country to the PURL initiative.
Earlier, Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov stated that Ukraine receives over 90% of its anti-ballistic missile capabilities through the PURL initiative. Ukraine aims to secure an additional 20 billion dollars from allies to solidify its battlefield advantage, a request that will be voiced on June 18 at the next meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, known as the «Ramstein» format.