Contributing through the Drone Coalition is a practical and efficient way to support Ukraine in the development and deployment of unmanned aerial vehicles. These drones are already being successfully procured from this common fund to meet Ukrainian needs and are of critical importance on the battlefield.

"Drones have become an integral part of the Russian-Ukrainian war. They represent a technological advantage that enables the deterrence and elimination of the enemy. Therefore, it is necessary to continue efforts to expand their production in Ukraine and among Western countries," Kateryna Chernohorenko, Ukraine's Deputy Minister of Defence for Digital Development, Digital Transformation, and Digitalisation, said in late November.

Ukraine's support from member countries of the international Drone Coalition within the Ramstein Group (Ukraine Defence Contact Group, UDCG), led by Latvia and the United Kingdom and including the Czech Republic, is expected to reach €1.8 billion by the end of 2024 (approximately CZK 45 billion). Of this, the Czech Republic will provide €1 million (CZK 25.1 million) from the Ministry of Defence’s budget. Kateryna Chernohorenko thanked coalition partners for their consistent support and recognition of the importance of this initiative for global security.

Latvian Defence Minister Andris Sprūds stated, "The International Drone Coalition has become an important platform for the development of the drone industry, which will further strengthen our national defence in the future." He added, "This initiative can have a positive impact on the business environment of the Czech Republic, as the Czech defence industry has been very active in the field of drones for a long time, and it is possible that one of the Czech companies will succeed with its offer within the coalition."

The coalition aims to secure the industrial production of FPV drones and expand the drone industry in Western countries and Ukraine, creating an asymmetric technological advantage on the battlefield in line with the needs of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The Drone Coalition operates a joint fund for drone procurement and regularly holds tenders to support the development of innovative products. The total fund amounts to €83 million (CZK 2.08 billion). Additional assistance is provided by coalition members on a bilateral basis, both in terms of drones and financial support.

The UK, as Fund Manager, is responsible for negotiating, awarding, and administering contracts. However, the contributing Participating States retain control over the funds' use through unanimous votes within the Steering Group, of which they are members. The Czech Republic’s financial contribution will grant it greater influence and a role in decision-making within the coalition. The submission is currently undergoing a shortened comment procedure, limited to the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Office of the Government of the Czech Republic, based on an exemption granted via a letter from the Prime Minister.

The Drone Coalition was officially established on 14 February 2024. Its objectives are to ensure Ukraine's dominance in the drone field through a stable supply of drones, support the creation of a secure supply chain for drone components in the West, encourage drone manufacturing in the West, and strengthen the drone capabilities of allied armed forces. In addition to Latvia and the UK, the coalition’s members include Australia, Canada, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Sweden, and Ukraine.