Latvia wishes to deepen cooperation with Norway in defense industry, particularly in field of drone technology - Braze

RIGA - Latvia wishes to deepen cooperation with Norway in defense industry, particularly in the field of drone technology, said Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braze (New Unity) during a working visit to Oslo, opening the first Latvian-Norwegian Drone Forum.

As LETA learned from the Foreign Ministry's press reservice, the minister also delivered a speech at the international Construction Days conference, the largest construction industry event in Norway, which was attended by Latvian companies UPB, We Build Parks, and Compor.

Braze underscored in her speech that cooperation is essential not only for strengthening national military capabilities but also for regional cooperation and the security of supply chains. Moreover, Latvia’s defense industry is demonstrating rapid maturity and potential - in 2025, Latvia secured approximately 50 percent more funding from the European Commission and the European Defense Fund than in 2024. This demonstrates our ability to lead cross-border consortia and strengthen our position in European supply chains."

The first Latvian-Norwegian Drone Forum was organized by the Latvian Embassy in Oslo, the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA), Military Technology, Drones & Robotics Association and the Norwegian Defense Industry Association. The Minister invited Norwegian representatives to participate in the international Drone Summit in Riga on May 27. The Minister of Defense of Latvia, Andris Spruds (Progressives), and the Commander of the Latvian National Armed Forces, Kaspars Pudans, also participated in the forum.

The minister said that Latvia and Norway have great potential for cooperation in the construction and infrastructure sectors - both in high-readiness military infrastructure projects and in energy efficiency, sustainable construction and timber construction technologies. The presence of Latvian companies - UPB, Tenax Panel, We Build Parks, Northproject, CLT Profi and others - in Norway demonstrates our professionalism and capacity to work under demanding conditions.

The construction sector is part of comprehensive defense - for example, the construction of military infrastructure within NATO requires specific equipment, skills, certification, and more. Innovation and technological development in this industry have been driven by the geopolitical realities.

"Close cooperation in construction and infrastructure development contributes to the resilience and security of the Baltic and Nordic region, including by ensuring a faster response in times of crisis," noted Braze.

In Oslo’s historic center, Braze visited the Qvarteret building rehabilitation project carried out by the Latvian construction company UPB. UPB is one of the largest Latvian companies operating successfully in the Nordic market and delivering large-scale construction projects.

At the Norwegian Business School, one of the largest business schools in Europe, Braze met with the school’s Vice-Rector Dr Thomas Hoholm, Associate Professor Janis Berzins and students, including those from Latvia, and discussed cooperation among the Baltic Sea region countries and Latvia’s achievements in the fields of renewable energy, drone, space, 5G/6G, AI and quantum technologies.

The Minister gave interviews to the Norwegian public broadcaster NRK and Norway’s leading construction news portal bygg.no.