Ukraine and the Netherlands have launched a joint initiative called Drone Deal, focused on the co-production of drones and other defence technologies by companies from both countries, with manufacturing taking place in both Ukraine and the Netherlands.
The initiative covers joint development and production of drones, missiles, electronic warfare systems, and other defence technologies. It also includes investment in defence infrastructure, research, and innovation, as well as structured exchange of operational experience gained by Ukraine during the war.
Under the framework of the agreement, the President of Ukraine and the Prime-Minister of Netherlands signed a licensing agreement for joint drone production, opening opportunities for cooperation at the level of technologies and manufacturing processes.
As part of the cooperation framework, the Netherlands previously announced plans to invest around €248 million in drone production, including commitments discussed during the Ramstein defence meeting.
The partnership builds on existing cooperation structures, including the Dutch Defence Cluster in Ukraine, which connects Ukrainian and Dutch defence companies and provides legal and financial support for joint projects. It also aligns with broader Dutch industry involvement in UAV production, including scaling initiatives by Dutch defence startups focused on high-volume drone manufacturing for Ukraine.