Useful news for entrepreneurs

10.10.2025.

The European Investment Bank (EIB), the Latvian government and the State Real Estate Agency (VNI) have joined forces to develop a military base and training area in the southeastern region of Selonia, along with a storage facility in Kuldīga Municipality. The initiative aims to enhance both national and regional defence capabilities. 

26.09.2025.

On Thursday, September 25, a memorandum was signed in Hamburg, Germany, on the construction of an artillery ammunition factory in Latvia. The memorandum was signed by Latvian Prime Minister Evika Siliņa, Minister of Economics Viktors Valainis, Ingrīda Ķirse, member of the board of State Defence Corporation LLC, and the investor, Rheinmetall AG, a leading German defence industry company.  

09.09.2025.

The Ministry of Defence of Latvia, the Embassy of Germany in Latvia, the Confederation of German Steel Recycling and Waste Management Companies, the German – Baltic Chamber of Commerce, the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia and the State Defence Corporation of Latvia, involving the industry and partners, are pleased to announce the upcoming event: GERMANY – LATVIA DEFENCE INDUSTRY DAYS.

The event will take place November 12 (late afternoon) – November 13, in Riga, Latvia. Please save the date!

The main objectives: to strengthen co-operation between Germany and Latvia in the defence industry; to share information on procurements priorities etc.; to showcase German and Latvian companies and facilitate new partnerships. The event will feature speeches by officials, complemented by a practical discussion, idea exchanges, company pitches, networking etc.

Prior to the GERMANY – LATVIA DEFENCE INDUSTRY DAYS, LATVIAN DUAL USE EXPORT FORUM will take place on November 11 – 12 (midday), in Liepāja, Latvia. Please save the date!

Read more about both events

In light of the Danish Presidency of the Council of the European Union, the Embassy of Denmark in Latvia, the Ministry of Defence of Denmark, the Danish Chamber of Commerce, the Ministry of Defence of Latvia, the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia, and the State Defence Corporation of Latvia, in co-operation with the industry, are pleased to announce the upcoming event: DENMARK – LATVIA DEFENCE INDUSTRY DAYS!

The main objectives: to strengthen bilateral co-operation between Denmark and Latvia in defence and the military industry; to share up-to-date information on procurement plans, procedures, and priorities; to showcase Danish and Latvian defence companies and facilitate new partnerships. The event will feature addresses by officials, a practical section, idea exchanges, company pitches and different networking opportunities.
    
Potential participants: officials of state institutions and national armed forces; professional associations; companies producing military and dual-use goods and components.

Short programme, registration and more information available here.

For any enquiries, please contact the State Defence Corporation of Latvia at info@defencecorporation.lv.  

We look forward to welcoming you to the DENMARK – LATVIA DEFENCE INDUSTRY DAYS!

On behalf of the organising team –
State Defence Corporation

05.08.2025.

In order to strengthen Latvia's eastern border and build up the necessary stockpiles of equipment, there are plans to purchase several thousand anti-tank "hedgehogs", dragon's teeth, concrete blocks and other anti-mobility materials in the near future.

In order to select a supplier, the State Defense Logistics and Procurement Center has announced a tender VALIC 2025/042/TN-P-AK "Purchase of obstacles to hinder transport movement" in which bidders can submit their offers until September 1 of this year.

In total, this procurement is expected to order 4,810 fence posts, 550 concrete blocks, at least 1,300 dragon teeth, 150 reinforced concrete road blocks, 1,160 anti-tank hedgehogs, and 10 anti-erosion mats during 2025.

Since March 2024, the National Armed Forces have been strengthening Latvia's eastern border militarily. The purpose of the protective structures is to deter, stop and, if necessary, eliminate the aggressor. Primarily, anti-mobility material warehouses are being built near the most important transport arteries, and the existing State Border Guard infrastructure is being reinforced.

Engineering resource depots have been set up in Latgale, near the Russian and Belarusian borders, where tens of thousands of anti-mobility construction elements are stored – concrete blocks, dragon's teeth, anti-tank hedgehogs, etc., manufactured by Latvian companies. The same resource depots will also be established in Vidzeme.

Blockades have already been erected at closed border crossing points and border control points by creating anti-mobility structures. Border roads and forest trails are being blocked to restrict transport movement in the border area. Surveying of the 400 km long Russian and Belarusian border and planning of the placement of obstacles is continuing.

This year, 45 million euros have been allocated for the military reinforcement of Latvia's eastern border.

09.07.2025.

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.

02.07.2025.

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.

18.06.2025.

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.

02.06.2025.

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.

16.05.2025.

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

15.05.2025.

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

18.03.2025.

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-…

18.03.2025.

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