Latvia and Ukraine to sign agreement on cooperation in fields of drones and air defense

RIGA - The Ministry of Defense (MoD) has drafted an agreement between Latvia and Ukraine on defense cooperation, which provides for collaboration in the fields of drones and air defense.

The agreement stipulates that Ukraine and Latvia will promote the strengthening of their security by exchanging technologies, experience, and knowledge, particularly in the development of integrated air and missile defense systems, as well as in the development of resilient supply chains and technological solutions designed to respond to existing and potential threats.

Both countries will commit to providing each other with advisory assistance, ensuring personnel training, and carrying out other joint cooperation activities in the field of defense.

Five capability areas have been identified as initial priorities for cooperation. First, an exchange of experience is planned regarding battlefield unmanned aerial vehicles, long-range strike, maritime, and other unmanned aerial vehicle systems. Second, knowledge transfer will take place regarding air defense systems, including interceptor drones, electromagnetic warfare systems, and other solutions.

Cooperation will also cover sensor, intelligence, early warning, and target acquisition systems. The fourth area of cooperation highlighted is the exchange of knowledge on battlefield management systems, while the fifth is cooperation in improving operational doctrines and training processes, as well as in the application of cooperation and integration opportunities, including cooperation with the Center of Excellence for Autonomous Systems and NATO forces stationed in Latvia.

To strengthen mutual security, the parties will, in accordance with national export control laws, consider the transfer of technology, components, and related materials by issuing the necessary authorizations, including export licenses. This may include the transfer or joint use of intellectual property rights, where applicable and as agreed by both parties, for example in joint research and development and manufacturing projects.

The draft agreement provides that the parties will cooperate in the field of cybersecurity to improve each side's resilience, preparedness, and operational capabilities.

Such cooperation will include, in particular, the exchange of experience, best practices, and technical information; joint training, exercises, and capacity-building programs; advisory assistance; and institutional support.

Latvia may provide investments, grants, or co-financing for Ukraine’s cybersecurity projects, research and development, as well as the modernization of critical cyber-infrastructure, as noted in the draft agreement.

The draft agreement provides that the parties will promote technology exchange and joint cooperation between their companies to jointly develop and manufacture defense solutions in Ukraine and Latvia.

It is also envisaged that the parties will cooperate in the restoration and development of defense-related infrastructure in Ukraine and Latvia, including in the areas of secure communication networks, logistics infrastructure, and military-industrial facilities.

As noted by the Ministry of Defense, Ukraine is ready to assist Latvia by sharing operational experience and insights gained by Ukrainian security and defense forces during the war with Russia, particularly in the areas of maritime threat prevention, air and missile defense, as well as in technology-enabled warfare, including unmanned systems, counter-drone systems, electronic warfare, and related fields.

At Latvia’s request and in accordance with each side's national laws, Ukrainian specialists may be deployed to Latvia to conduct analytical assessments, conduct training and exercises, exchange operational experience, and assist in developing or revising doctrines, procedures, and best practices, as provided for in the draft agreement.

The draft agreement also provides that the parties will explore opportunities to deploy their forces to the other party’s territory, if circumstances permit, depending on the course of the conflict.

The parties will hold consultations to establish investment frameworks that will promote the integration of their defense industries. Such frameworks may include, but are not limited to, the creation of joint defense investment instruments, joint ventures, innovation support platforms, investment insurance mechanisms, and long-term procurement systems to ensure the implementation of large-scale projects.

It is envisaged that the specific forms of cooperation, projects, and conditions under this agreement will be set out in subsequent agreements or arrangements. Such agreements or arrangements shall be implemented by the authorities duly authorized by the parties.

It is envisaged that the agreement will enter into force upon signature by both parties and will remain in force for ten years. The term of the agreement will be automatically extended for subsequent ten-year periods unless one of the parties notifies the other party in writing through diplomatic channels of its intention not to extend it prior to the date of extension.

The government will have to decide on the signing of the draft agreement.

As reported, one of the priorities of the new Minister of Defense, Raivis Melns, will be to continue the work launched at the ministry, with a primary focus on adopting Ukraine’s experience and integrating it into the armed forces’ expertise and knowledge.