欧美文化:Netherlands offers 400 mln euros to help Ukraine develop drones

THE HAGUE, Oct. 6 (Xinhua) -- The Netherlands will provide 400 million euros (about 440 million U.S. dollars) to help Ukraine develop drones, the Dutch Ministry of Defense announced on Sunday.

The Netherlands and Ukraine will "collaborate to develop advanced drones and accelerate the production of successful prototypes," the ministry said in a statement. "Nearly half of this production will take place in the Netherlands."

Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans made the announcement during a visit to the city of Charkov in northeastern Ukraine.

"We are investing 400 million euros in an action plan for drones, which will focus on various types of advanced drones designed for reconnaissance, defense, and attack missions," Brekelmans was quoted in the statement. "These drones will be used primarily in the air, but also on land and at sea."

In addition to the drone development plan, Brekelmans said that the Netherlands has provided 3.76 billion euros in military support to Ukraine so far.

He also confirmed that the first units of the 24 promised Dutch F-16 fighter jets have been delivered to Ukraine. (1 euro = 1.10 U.S. dollar)