Britain becomes Ukraine's largest first-person view drone supplier under deal with Latvia

Thousands more drones are being supplied to Ukraine under an initiative led by the UK and Latvia.

The deal includes the supply of more first-person view (FPV) drones, which have proven highly effective on the battlefield.

As part of the plan, the UK will be contributing £200m in manufacturing and procurement for the new batch of machines.

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"Today...I'm proud to announce that the UK and Latvia will co-lead an international coalition to build Ukraine's vital drone capabilities," said Defence Secretary Grant Shapps.

"The UK continues to do all we can to give Ukraine what it needs – upping our aid to £2.5bn this year and committing £200m to manufacture drones, making us Ukraine's largest drone supplier.

"Together we will give Ukraine the capabilities it needs to defend itself and win this war, to ensure that Putin fails in his illegal and barbaric ambitions."

Drones are vital to Ukraine's war effort, being deployed to target enemy positions, armoured vehicles and ships with explosive ordnance.

Ukraine demonstrated the effectiveness of FPV drones by using them to attack two Russian amphibious landing ships in the Black Sea. 

Videos showing the sinking of the Caesar Kunikov and the Ivanovets circulated online after footage taken by the attack drones was released by Ukraine.

However, Ukraine does not have it all its own way in terms of attack drones.

Russian drone technology continues to be a threat to the Ukrainian armed forces, and one military strategist recently warned the West and Ukraine must attempt to "outlearn Russia" in terms of technology, tactics and drone warfare.