Information for entrepreneurs

As a coordinator of Drone Coalition, Ministry of Defence has created a stable supply of FPV Kamikaze and other combat drones produced by Latvia to Ukraine. To ensure that functional and electronic warfare (EW), and combat characteristics of these UAVs are in line with expectations of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, drones go through a number of tests of various complexity. Drones that pass tests successfully are certified and added to  arsenal of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Procurement and testing of FPV Kamikaze is conducted in stages because technology is still going through a phase of rapid development.

As a technology, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) are currently going through a phase of rapid evolution, technological transformations and new tactical applications. Latvia and other Allies need to build drone manufacturing, research and development capacities that are adequate for supplying National Armed Forces of Latvia (NAF) with necessary UAVs, as well as supporting the continuity of drone research, development and manufacturing framework. NAF have created a dedicated drone and electronic warfare training area to enable Latvian manufacturers develop and upgrade FPV Kamikaze and other UAV systems.

Training area, training area rules and calendar are openly available to all business members of the drone coalition procurement programme. National Armed Forces of Latvia are also working on UAV Training Centre in scope of national drone competitiveness initiative. It will primarily provide training and also advise industry on technical and tactical characteristics of drones.
 

UK and Latvia open the bidding for companies to supply a major drone delivery for Ukraine

Today, the UK and Latvia have opened the bidding for companies to supply FPV drones to Ukraine, on behalf of the Drone Capability Coalition. This bidding will include a € 352 000 procurement for testing drones. This competition aims to promote the ability of Western countries to mass produce drones at an affordable price, thereby strengthening the domestic industry.

Industry can find the details of how to apply via the Defence Sourcing Portal. This competition is open to industry from any nation in the Ukraine Defence Contact Group.

This competition aims to procure up to 15 batches of first-person view racing quadcopter style drones, consisting of 20 drones each and potential associated options, capable of carrying varying payloads depending on their propeller size.

Companies have until 1 July 2024 to submit their proposals, which will then be considered by the Drone Capability Coalition members and evaluated.

The intent is that, following testing, platforms that meet the requirements will be considered for a potential future production contract (up to circa 1000 drones per month).

The systems must be produced and dispatched for testing within 3 weeks of contract award (expected w/c 12 August 2024).

Bidders are to ensure that their system meets all qualification questions & entry criteria prior to submitting their proposal. These systems will then be tested and evaluated (up to a 3 month period). These findings will inform future requirements with the potential to lead to large-scale production contracts (subject to further contract).

Successful companies will receive orders to supply drones to Ukraine and, upon receipt of positive operational feedback, the intent is to place larger, follow up orders for FPV drones.

Additional FPV competitions are expected to take place through 2024, building on the lessons learned from this first competition.

Grant competition

In response to interest from industrial stakeholders, in order to create more favourable conditions for the industry, Ministry of Defence announced call for proposals under the UAV development support grant scheme on 14 May 2024.

Aim of the grant project competition was to support the development of new products and technologies required to enhance Latvia’s drone capabilities in two key areas:

  • next generation guided projectiles (UAVs equipped with projectiles) and components, such as alternative UAV navigation systems, batteries and engine technologies, SWARM technologies, disruptive UAV technologies (including sensors)
  • electronic warfare systems supporting UAVs and counter-drone technologies, such as individual alerting systems for detection of other UAVs, EW transmitters for precision-guided munition, counter UAV drone systems using electromagnetic and kinetic impact

This was the second call for proposals under this grant scheme in 2024. First call of proposals concluded on 29 February 2024. The second call of proposals concluded on 21 June 2024.

Compared to other calls, this project selection round was more focused on development of UAV technologies and gives clearer operational guidelines to applicants.

Additional details:

  • Total funding under the MoD grant scheme: €600,000
  • Deadline: 21 June 2024
  • Additional information: droniem@mod.gov.lv.
  • Competition rules on website www.mod.gov.lv

Latvian drone capability initiative

The experience of the war in Ukraine calls for an active promotion of domestic development of drone capabilities. Therefore, the Ministry of Defence has launched the Latvian drone capability initiative, in which 20 million euros will be invested in 2024. The aim of the initiative is to strengthen the drone capabilities of the National Armed Forces.

The initiative will develop infrastructure in Latvia and will also include the acquisition of UAVs for the Armed Forces. 10 million euros of the total funding will be allocated for acquisitions from local industry.

Also in June, work will be completed on the drone testing site at the Selonia Military Training Area where drone training and testing of Latvian-made UAVs is planned to start soon.

Additional information and instructions about your participation in business support programmes available at droniem@mod.gov.lv.