Latvia can in the future produce gunpowder and 155 caliber ammunition - Murniece

RIGA - Latvia can in the future produce gunpowder and 155 caliber ammunition with support from the European Union (EU), former Defense Minister, now Saeima member Inara Murniece (National Alliance) said on Thursday during Saeima debates on the National Defense Concept.

There were plans in the past to establish a state-owned company in Latvia, which would initially produce gunpowder and later on also 155 caliber ammunition, which is very much needed in Ukraine, said Murniece.

There is not much time left to apply for EU financing for the project, said Murniece. She expects Defense Minister Andris Spruds (Progressives) to report on the progress in this area in the near future.

Although Latvia committed to training 3,000 Ukrainian soldiers this year, the actual number of Ukrainian soldiers trained in Latvia could reach 4,000 by the end of the year. "This is significant support for Ukraine, and we can be really proud of it," stressed Murniece.

On the other hand, Spruds thanked all those involved in the debate, including the previous defense minister and the former and current members of Saeima Defense, Internal Affairs and Corruption Prevention Committee for the work they had done. "Despite political differences regarding defense, we see conceptual continuity and also consensus on the most important issues," said Spruds.

As reported, Saeima today approved the updated National Defense Concept.