Latvia interested in expanding cooperation with Spain in defense industry - Melnis

RIGA - Latvia is interested in expanding cooperation with Spain in the defense industry and the military procurement sector, Latvian Defense Minister Raivis Melnis said Wednesday during a meeting with Spanish Ambassador to Latvia Manuel Alhama Orenes.

During the meeting, the parties discussed bilateral projects, including the contract Latvia has signed with the Spanish company GDELS-Santa Barbara Sistemas for the procurement of infantry fighting vehicles for the National Armed Forces (NBS). In the conversation, the defense minister emphasized Latvia’s interest in expanding cooperation in the defense industry and the military procurement sector, and also commended Spain’s significant role in strengthening deterrence and defense capabilities on NATO’s eastern flank.

Spain is one of the 13 member states of the NATO multinational brigade in Latvia. The multinational brigade is led by Canada and brings together troops from Albania, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Iceland, Italy, Montenegro, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and North Macedonia, who serve in Latvia on a rotational basis, participating in exercises alongside the NBS and thereby improving interoperability with allies to be able to respond to challenges in the security environment.

In response to the need to strengthen the Baltic region’s defense capabilities following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, on June 26, 2022, a surface-to-air missile battery supplied by Spain was deployed at the NBS Air Base in Lielvarde. The Spanish Air Force also regularly participates in NATO’s Baltic Air Policing Mission, ensuring a continuous presence of units in the Baltic region on a rotational basis.