Ukraine, Latvia sign memorandum on military cooperation, national security

Ukraine and Latvia have signed a new memorandum on military cooperation and national security aimed at strengthening defence collaboration and advancing the development of unmanned systems.

Latvian Defence Minister Raivis Melnis described the memorandum as a foundation for the growth of a competitive unmanned systems ecosystem in Latvia, Caliber.Az reports, citing Russian media.

He said it will attract investments and promote innovation.

The agreement involves Latvia's Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Economics, the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia, Baltic Forces, Riga Technical University, and the Latvian Association of Military Technologies, Drones and Robotics.

On June 29, Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs announced plans to build a joint drone manufacturing facility with Ukraine.

He initially said the project was intended to address employment challenges and stimulate economic activity in Latvia's border regions, but later added that locating the facility near the Russian and Belarusian borders would enable interceptor drones to be rapidly deployed in the event of potential security threats.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov