20 million defence investment in development of drone capability

Comprehensive national drone capability development and promotion initiative across all levels of National Armed Forces will receive a 20 million euro allocation this year, according to Defence Minister Andris Sprūds who announced these plans during a press conference at the Ministry of Defence.

“Latvia is working towards delivering drones to Ukraine front line, while simultaneously developing and strengthening national drone capabilities of all types and across all levels of National Armed Forces. This year we are planning to invest €20 million euro into the drone initiative, funding both the relevant infrastructure and more than 10 million in procurement of drones from private sector,” Minister Sprūds announced.

Meanwhile, in June Selonia Training Area will receive a new mobile training and testing facility for unmanned aerial vehicles and Selonia will become ready to start drone training on its grounds.

Also, considering industry interest and need to promote the business environment, Ministry of Defence has launched a call for proposals for a grant scheme. Deadline is 21 June. Companies will be able to apply for UAV development and innovation funding totalling € 600 000 euro per application.

In addition to this, Ministry of Defence and SIA Latvijas Mobilais telefons (Latvian Mobile Telephone, LLC) will also hold an idea hackathon Drones for Ukraine at the Latvian War Museum on 29-30 May. Hackathon is open to companies, engineers, tech enthusiasts and students. It is expected to generate new concepts for precision-guided air-dropped munitions, alternative navigation systems, customized communication and counter-drone technologies.

As announced previously, drone coalition for Ukraine, jointly established by Latvia and the UK, marked its three months of operation on 14 May. Initiative has so far been joined by 14 countries: Latvia, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, Australia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Italy, Canada, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Germany and Sweden. Coalition is open to new member states. Members of the drone coalition have so far raised more than €500 million, which will be spent to deliver drones to Ukraine.

MoD Military Public Affairs Department
Media Relations Section
Phone: 67335393
E-mail: prese@mod.gov.lv