Latvia on the path of becoming a drone superpower: by helping Ukraine, we are also making our drone industry and defence capabilities stronger
Andris Sprūds, Defence Minister of Latvia
This week marks one year since I proposed and the United Kingdom agreed to become the co-founder of the International Drone Coalition for Ukraine. The aim of this initiative is to pool resources and provide Ukraine with vital supply of unmanned aerial vehicles that it would use on the battlefield. Three years since the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine have clearly demonstrated that this is a war that heavily relies on technologies, especially the drone technology. Coalition supplies Ukraine with state-of-the-art drone technologies, while also promoting and strengthening its own defence industry.
17 countries, including Norway, which joined the International Drone Coalition recently, are cooperating in this framework. Participating countries are committed to spend almost 2 million euro on drones for Ukraine. This amount is well above Latvia’s national defence spending for 2025. Coalition member states have already delivered, or are about to complete shipments, of around 100 000 drones that have various armed capabilities.
How does the International Drone Coalition work? Firstly, it operates through delivery of drones manufactured nationally. We closely coordinate shipments with Ukraine, which gives us the technical specification for particular drones they need. We reach out to local companies and then drones are tested in Ukraine and Latvia. And, once approved, mass production of drones begins immediately and they are delivered to combat units on the front line as soon as possible. In the past 12 months, we have sent almost 5 000 locally produced drones of various capacity worth almost 15 million euros.
Secondly, Drone Coalition operates an International Fund, which is managed by our UK colleagues. Latvia’s contribution to this multi-million facility is 5 million euro. The first international tender, which received more than 260 bids from European manufacturers, awarded the contract to 5 companies that have promised to deliver 30 000 drones with the total cost of 45 million euro. Two Latvian companies have performed incredibly well against such fierce competition, winning contracts worth 17 million euro. In the first half of 2025 Ukraine will receive 12 000 Latvia-made UAVs. Numbers speak for themselves – Latvia is looking good among such prominent competitors in the drone industry. Fund is currently looking into interceptor drones – an area in which Latvia has also made a strong start.
Thirdly, member states of the Drone Coalition can also, at their own discretion, provide direct funding to Ukrainian manufacturers. We, as well, are currently looking into potential partnerships with Ukraine and piloting joint projects to see how well they benefit Ukraine and also National Armed Forces of Latvia.
International Drone Coalition for Ukraine has been a strong impetus for the drone industry across Europe and in Latvia. By boldly tackling increasing needs and demand, Latvia is gradually becoming a drone technology superpower. A year ago, we bravely accepted the ambitious challenge of becoming a lead partner in the International Drone Coalition. We relentlessly lobbied drone shipments to Ukraine on all political levels and continuously urged other strong international partners to join the initiative. We led by example and created a system that allows us to deliver drones made by Latvian companies to Ukraine in record time. It took us only a year to become one of the leading supporters of Ukraine on the international arena, as well as facilitating close practical cooperation with Latvian industry.
Strong and forward-oriented national defence industry is my priority as the Latvian defence minister. Currently, we are focused on building up the national drone industry. Both Drone Coalition and its International Fund procurements are helping us promote the innovation and manufacturing capabilities of Latvian companies. We actively help local companies apply for EU funding for international projects. Ministry of Defence has helped Latvian drone company Origin Robotics to attract 4.5 million euro from European Defence Fund as co-financing for its international drone innovation project. International competition in the area of drone technologies is extremely fierce, there is no place for hesitation. That is why research and development has been and will remain high on my list of priorities.
We also continue to buy drones of various type for our National Armed Forces. This year we intend to spend 20 million euro on our army of drones. Our drone capability targets are set to ensure that every unit has drone technologies and skills tailored to its specific needs. National Guard are currently in the process of training drone pilots, and State Defence Service troops are also going through similar preparations. Moreover, our army must implement the full range of technologies – from aerial drones to land and sea drones, as well as effective counter-drone technologies. We are quickly becoming one of the the European leaders in the field microdrones, and we are not planning to stop there.
Drone Coalition has made Latvia into an international brand. More and more European companies from Drone Coalition member states are choosing Latvia as the place where to test their newest drone applications. Our Drone Excellence and Competence Centre will become operation this spring, and we expect it to become one of the main international drone training, testing and competence sites. To extend and assert our drone technology leadership, we will host an international drone summit in Riga on 28 May.
War in Ukraine has clearly demonstrated the immense importance of innovations, manufacturing quality, economy of scale and speed. Development of defence industry and drone technologies is a strategic necessity. It is also an opportunity for Latvia to facilitate military production with high value added and exportability.
We are proud to see that by helping others we are helping ourselves grow, too. The objective is clear: we must help Ukraine fend off Russian occupation, while also strengthening the national and European defence and readiness. Strong Latvian defence industry is the cornerstone of national and European security.