Latvia to build joint drone production facility with Ukraine near Russian border

Latvia's agreement with Ukraine on cooperation in the field of unmanned systems envisages joint production, including the construction of a manufacturing facility near Latvia's border with Russia.

Source: Delfi, a Baltic states news website, citing Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Kulbergs said the agreement on cooperation in the field of unmanned systems, signed at the beginning of June, includes plans for joint production. In particular, a manufacturing facility is to be built rapidly near Latvia's border with Russia.

The prime minister said the government would do everything necessary to ensure the facility is located close to the border. He added that the region needs economic activity, investment and jobs.

Kulbergs also said that new counter-drone systems are expected to become operational along Latvia's borders with Belarus and Russia in July and August, allowing the country to respond to aerial threats without deploying aircraft on every occasion.

Background:

• The Drone Deal was signed during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's first meeting with Kulbergs on the sidelines of the Nordic-Baltic Eight summit in Tallinn in early June.
• Kulbergs has said he wants Latvia to reach Ukraine's level of drone defence by the end of the year.

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