Useful news for entrepreneurs

Lai stiprinātu Latvijas austrumu robežu un veidotu tam nepieciešamā inventāra krājumus, drīzumā plānots iegādāties vairākus tūkstošus “prettanku ežus”, “pūķa zobus”, betona blokus un citus pretmobilitātes materiālus.

Lai izvēlētos piegādātāju, Valsts aizsardzības loģistikas un iepirkumu centrs ir izsludinājis iepirkumu VALIC 2025/042/TN-P-AK “Šķēršļu iegāde transporta kustības kavēšanai”, kurā piedāvājumus pretendenti var iesniegt līdz šī gada 1. septembrim.

Kopumā šajā iepirkumā 2025. gada laikā plānots pasūtīt 4810 nožogojuma mietus, 550 betona blokus, vismaz 1300 pūķa zobus, 150 dzelzsbetona ceļa blokus, 1160 prettanku ežus, kā arī 10 preterozijas paklājus.

Nacionālie bruņotie spēki kopš 2024. gada marta veic Latvijas austrumu robežas militāru nostiprināšanu. Aizsargbūvju izveides mērķis ir atturēt, apturēt un vajadzības gadījumā likvidēt agresoru. Primāri tiek veidotas pretmobilitātes materiālu noliktavas netālu no būtiskākajām transporta artērijām, kā arī pastiprināta esošā Valsts robežsardzes infrastruktūra.

Latgalē pie Krievijas un Baltkrievijas robežas ir izveidotas inženieru resursu novietnes, kur izvietoti desmitiem tūkstošu pretmobilitātes konstrukciju elementu – Latvijas uzņēmumos ražotie betona bloki, “pūķa zobi”, “prettanku eži” u.c. Tādas pašas resursu novietnes tiks izveidotas arī Vidzemē.

Jau slēgtajos robežas pārejas punktos un robežas kontroles punktos veikta to bloķēšana, izveidojot pretmobilitātes konstrukcijas. Tiek veikta pierobežas ceļu un meža stigu bloķēšana, lai ierobežotu transporta kustību pierobežā. Turpinās 400 km garās Krieviju un Baltkrievijas robežas apsekošana un šķēršļu izvietojuma plānošana. 

Šogad Latvijas austrumu robežas militārajai nostiprināšanai ir atvēlēti 45 miljoni eiro.

On Thursday, 10 July, at the National Library of Latvia in Riga, Minister of Defence Andris Sprūds will participate in the World Latvian Economics and Innovations Forum (WLEIF 2025), where Latvian entrepreneurs from the diaspora will raise issues important for Latvia's security and economic development.

On 2 July 2025, the Ministry of Defence hosted the third meeting of the Defence Industry Advisory Board to discuss various industry issues, including the concept of a Defence Innovation Fund.

The meeting also discussed a catalogue of technology and product offerings by Latvian companies, including Latvian-made military products in support of Ukraine.

The first meeting of the Defence Industry Advisory Board was held on 16 April. The aim of the Council is to present the current developments in the industry, make recommendations and proposals, promote defence industry initiatives and coordinate the implementation of the industry strategy.

The Council is composed of representatives from the Ministry of Defence, the Latvian Federation of Security and Defence Industries, the Confederation of Industrial Development of Latvia, the Confederation of Employers of Latvia, the Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Association of Military Technologies, Drones and Robotics, the International Defence Manufacturers Association and the Financial Industry Association. Representatives from other institutions may also be invited if necessary.

Scandinavian Astor Group AB, a Nordic defence and security company, has become a strategic investor in Latvian small calibre ammunition manufacturing company SIA Ammunity by acquiring 100% of its shares. On 18 June 2025, the Minister of Defence Andris Sprūds met with representatives of the defence industry companies Ammunity Ltd and Scandinavian Astor Group AB to discuss cooperation in the development of the Latvian defence industry.

From Monday, June 2, the Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (NATO DIANA) is inviting applications for an innovation programme in ten challenge areas to develop next-generation dual-use technologies.

Interested parties can submit proposals for technology solutions until 11 July on the NATO DIANA website: https://www.diana.nato.int/ .

Challenge areas for which applicants can submit proposals are:

• Energy Resilience;
• Advanced Communication Technologies;
• Electromagnetic Environment;
• Human Resilience and Biotechnology;
• Critical Infrastructure and Logistics;
• Extreme Environment Operations;
• Naval Operations;
• Space Resilience;
• Autonomy and Unmanned Systems;
• Data-Driven Decision Making.

NATO's DIANA programme formulates its challenges based on Alliance and Allied priorities, the latest trends in new and disruptive technologies and market potential. Innovation in these dual-use, deep technology areas will help address the Alliance's most complex and pressing defence and security challenges.

The winners selected in the competitive round will participate in DIANA's six-month acceleration programme starting in January 2026.

Winners of the competition also stand a chance to win €100,000 in funding to further develop their technology solution, as well as access to a network of more than 180 test centres in Europe and North America for testing, assessment, validation and verification activities. In addition, through both face-to-face and online mentoring programmes and support, NATO DIANA winners will gain knowledge of defence procurement processes, as well as networking opportunities with defence military end-users, potential investors and industry partners.

NATO DIANA aims to foster the development of dual-use start-ups in NATO Member States by promoting collaboration between innovators, researchers and end-users.

NATO DIANA invites entrepreneurs to keep up to date with DIANA news on its website and social media, and to register for the online workshops on June 5 and June 19 to get more information and prepare their applications more successfully.

In order to promote the implementation of the Latvian defence industry and innovation development policy, as well as to facilitate cooperation with Latvian non-governmental organisations, the Ministry of Defence invites non-governmental organisations representing the defence industry to participate in the event project competition.

Non-governmental organisations representing the defence industry are invited to develop and submit event projects that would help strengthen the Latvian defence industry and raise its profile.

Applicants can submit an event project in one of four event categories - regional, national, international and cooperation with Ukraine. Applicants can submit project applications in several event categories at the same time.

There are no restrictions on the format of the event project, as the best event ideas in each category will be judged and awarded MoD funding. The only restrictions apply to eligible costs, which are described in the Terms of Competition

To apply for the call for proposals, applicants must submit a project application (available in Annex 1 to the Rules of Procedure) in the form of an electronic document (signed with a secure electronic signature containing a time stamp) by 23.59 on 16 June to industrija@mod.gov.lv, indicating ‘NGO Events Call for Proposals’ in the ‘Subject’ field. Each project will be eligible for funding up to the threshold set for each category of measure. The Rules of Procedure of the call for proposals can be found on the website of the Ministry of Defence.

For further information on the call for proposals, an interested party may submit an application to the Ministry with questions on the call for proposals no later than ten working days before the closing date for the submission of proposals (17.00 on 2 July 2025). The application with questions on the call for proposals shall be submitted electronically. Electronic submissions should be sent by the interested party to industrija@mod.gov.lv with the subject “NGO Action Project Call”.

Terms of the competition

On Friday, 23 May 2025, the Ministry of Defence will host an information day for representatives of Latvian defence industry companies, research and cooperation institutions on the European Defence Fund 2025.

The Ministry of Defence invites representatives of Latvian defence industry companies, research and cooperation institutions and other interested parties to attend the event. Participation in the event is subject to prior registration - by 19 May this year - by filling in the application form: https://aptauja.mod.gov.lv/index.php/345747?lang=lv .

More information

Programme

The Ministry of Defence invites defence companies and non-governmental organisations to apply for participation in the CANSEC 2025 Trade Mission at the Canadian Security and Defence Exhibition.

The 27th Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries (CADSI) Canada Security and Defence Exhibition (CANSEC) will be held in Ottawa, Canada, on 27-29 May 2025.

CANSEC 2025 will showcase the latest technologies, products and services for land, sea, air and joint forces military units. CANSEC is also a one-stop centre for first responders, police, border guards, security forces and special operations units. CANSEC exhibitors will have access to a networking platform that will allow them to arrange one-to-one meetings with exhibitors and guests.

In addition to the exhibition, meetings with industry organisations and companies will be organised on 27 May, which will provide additional opportunities for Latvian companies to gain contacts for further cooperation. A detailed programme will be made available once companies have been confirmed for the mission, and support will be provided where possible to organise meetings according to the interests of Latvian participants.

Exhibition programme: https://www.defenceandsecurity.ca/CANSEC/

The Latvian delegation will be led by the Latvian Ministry of Defence in cooperation with the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA), the Canadian Embassy in Latvia and the Latvian Embassy in Canada.

The trade mission is organised by LIAA. Contact person: Ilze Lācgalve, Head of LIAA Canada e-mail: ilze.lacgalve@liaa.gov.lv; whatsapp tel: +1 416 885 1133.

Applications for the trade mission are open on Business.gov.lv until 1 April at 23.59.

Additional information is available here: https://business.gov.lv/pasakums/tirdzniecibas-misija-kanadas-drosibas-…

On Tuesday, 18 March 2025, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the Defence Industry and Innovation Support Strategy 2025-2036, which was developed in cooperation with the Ministry of Economy and sets ambitious goals for the industry's development in the medium and long term.

The approved Defence Industry and Innovation Support Strategy 2025-2036 sets the following objectives for the medium- and long-term development of the industry:

• Increasing the share of the national armed forces' acquisitions from the local defence industry - doubling it to 20% by 2028; tripling it by 2036;
• Increasing funding for innovation - to 1.5% of the defence budget in 2028 and to 3% of the defence budget in 2036;
• Increasing the contribution of the defence industry to the Latvian economy - to 3% of GDP by 2028 and to 5% of GDP by 2036.

To achieve its objectives, the Defence Industry and Innovation Support Strategy includes a number of support measures to strengthen the defence industry, including:

• Implementation of a purposeful security of supply policy, ensuring and promoting the involvement of local companies up to 30% in large contracts of the National Armed Forces;
• Establishment of a ‘Green Corridor’ for the development of defence industry production capacity in Latvia;
• Optimisation of the full life cycle management of materiel in the defence sector;
• Regular and open dialogue format with industry for operational exchange of information on National Armed Forces needs, procurement, innovation programmes, etc.

More information

Infographic on the support strategy

The Central Finance and Contracting Agency (CFCA) has launched an open call for projects, inviting companies to apply for European Union (EU) funding to invest in the development of new dual-use products and technologies in the fields of defence and security. The EU funds available for the implementation of the projects amount to €22.9 million.

The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) grant will be used for the development of new products, services and technologies: industrial research, pilot studies and feasibility studies. Eligible project costs can range from €200 000 to €1 million. 

The third round of the EU funding programme, developed by the Ministry of the Economy, will support at least 40 companies to complete their projects by the end of 2029.

The support from EU funds is foreseen under the third round of measure 1.2.1. "Support for new product development and internationalisation" of the EU Cohesion Policy Programme 2021-2027 under the specific support objective 1.2.1.1. "Strengthening research and innovation capacities and transfer of advanced technologies to enterprises".

Information on all project selections is available on the CFLA website under ‘Programmes’.

On 22 October 2024, the Cabinet of Ministers approved a new legal framework for the Ministry of Defence's calls for proposals to support the development of military or dual-use products.

The new regulation provides for support to be granted to small and medium-sized enterprises in the defence industry to create and develop innovative products, services and technologies with defence applications, thus replacing the expired previous Cabinet of Ministers regulations.

"The objective of the grant programme is to promote the creation of new technologies - both dual and military - of relevance to the defence sector, with potential military applications. We have adapted the competition framework to the current needs of the National Armed Forces in order to promote the development of the military industry, innovation capacity and exportability of entrepreneurs, as well as to strengthen our defence capabilities, therefore I invite Latvian entrepreneurs to actively use the opportunities of the programme," emphasises the Minister of Defence Andris Sprūds.

The new legal framework clarifies the procedure for launching calls for proposals. Similarly, while the previous rules provided for a uniform evaluation system for all grant calls for proposals, the new rules emphasise the need to diversify the selection of grant applications by setting more specific and concrete requirements stemming from the current needs of the National Armed Forces.

The rules also include new European Commission regulation that increases the conditions for aid to small and medium-sized enterprises, including raising the total amount of aid granted by a Member State to one enterprise over a three-year period from €200,000 to €300,000.

The grant programme is based on the availability of annual calls for proposals, the use of industry expertise in the evaluation and post-award monitoring phase, and is implemented in line with the defence innovation priorities set out in the Guidelines for Defence and Security Industry Engagement in Capacity Building 2025-2028.

To ensure that support programmes do not duplicate but, where necessary, complement existing support instruments, representatives of the Ministry of Economy and the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia are involved in the evaluation, award and monitoring of grant projects.

The grant programme is the first of its kind to support the targeted development of the Latvian defence industry, with particular emphasis on the involvement of Latvian research institutions and the transfer of the innovation potential of the general business environment into exportable products with military applications.

Since 2018, 30 military or dual-use products have been supported through grant competitions, with a total funding of more than €2 million.

Further information and project application forms are available on the MoD website: www.mod.gov.lv/lv/uznemejiem/atbalsts-uznemejiem/grantu-programma