27 July 2016, 14:40 GMT
WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The United States has delivered 72 hand launched surveillance drones to Ukraine as part of a larger effort to help the nation enhance its defense capabilities, the US embassy in Kiev said in a press release on Wednesday.
"24 RQ-11B Raven Unmanned Aircraft Systems (comprised of 72 aircraft and associated equipment) arrived at Boryspil International Airport July 27," the release said.
The drone systems delivered to Ukraine are used to transmit live video images and location data to ground control stations, the release explained.
“This capability can provide day or night aerial intelligence and enables operators to navigate, recognize terrain, and record information for analysis,” the embassy said.
Besides, several dozen Ukrainian soldiers have previously completed training needed to operate the system in the US state of Alabama, the release noted.
The Raven Unmanned Aircraft systems and training is part of a $600-million security assistance package the United States has provided to Ukraine since a civil conflict erupted in the country in 2014.
