Latvian and international defence industry to gather in Rēzekne this week

On 6 and 7 September, the Latvian Dual-Use Export Forum will take place in Rēzekne, bringing together more than 180 participants from Latvia and abroad. The two-day programme will begin with the National Armed Forces Industry Day, featuring demonstrations of defence and dual-use technologies on land, water and in the air, as well as company visits. On 7 September, the GORS Concert Hall will host discussions with international experts, technology presentations, an EXPO and one-to-one business meetings. At the heart of the Forum is a practical question: how can Latvian companies use their technologies and manufacturing capabilities to become part of international defence industry supply chains?

Representatives from more than 15 countries are expected to attend the Forum, including more than 45 international companies and up to 120 Latvian companies. International participants include TensorOne, AJB Subsea, HISDESAT, NEST AI, Fischer Panda and Sine Engineering, while representatives of BAE Systems, Dedrone by Axon, Wolfram Europe, SAF Tehnika, Silmor, Pērkons Energy, Redwire, RAW and Origin Robotics will also take part in the programme.

More than 150 pre-arranged business meetings are planned during the Forum, giving Latvian companies an opportunity to meet potential customers, cooperation partners, investors, suppliers and representatives of the international defence industry.

“Latvian companies have technologies and manufacturing capabilities that enable them to compete internationally. The key challenge now is to turn this potential into concrete cooperation opportunities and export deals. This is why the Forum places a strong emphasis on practical cooperation, creating direct connections between Latvian companies, international industry representatives, potential customers and partners,” says Līva Stūrmane, Chair of the Board of the Latvian Exporters Association “The Red Jackets”.

6 September: technologies in action on land, water and in the air

The Forum will begin on Sunday, 6 September, with the Industry Day “Technologies in Action”. From 10:00 to 15:00, demonstrations organised by the Ministry of Defence will showcase defence and dual-use technologies operating on land, water and in the air. The programme will also include a tactical briefing and industry presentations.

The demonstrations will take place at the former Rēzekne I railway station site and in the area near Lake Kovšu, offering participants an opportunity to experience the capabilities and innovation potential of Latvia’s defence industry in practice and to establish contacts with representatives of the industry and the military. Following the demonstrations, from 15:00 to 17:30, the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA) will organise visits to LEAX Rēzekne, Bee Tactics and VEREMS, where international participants will have an opportunity to learn more about the companies’ operations, manufacturing capabilities and solutions.

From 17:30, participant registration and the official opening will continue at the Latgale Embassy GORS.

“Strengthening Latvia’s defence capabilities and developing the domestic defence industry are closely interconnected. Every company capable of developing technologies, systems or components for defence needs strengthens both national security and its own export potential. It is equally important to provide the industry with opportunities to demonstrate its solutions in real-life environments while receiving direct feedback from soldiers and international partners,” emphasises Raivis Melnis, Minister of Defence of the Republic of Latvia.

7 September: from technology to international markets

On Monday, 7 September, at the GORS Concert Hall, the Forum will continue with the programme “From Technology to International Markets”, focusing on the growth of Latvia’s defence industry and opportunities to integrate into international supply chains.

The day will begin with Uģis Norītis, representing the Ministry of Defence, who will present on the development of a globally competitive Latvian defence industry. Laura Štrovalde, Diāna Baranova, Magnus-Valdemar Saar, Head of Wolfram Europa, and Mārtiņš Tiknuss, Head of Gateway&Partners, will discuss the development of the Baltic defence industry and regional cooperation.

International defence strategy consultant Thibault Normand will address opportunities for Latvian companies to enter international defence supply chains, while representatives of Silmor, Pērkons Energy, Redwire and UniLAB Defence will discuss financing, scaling up production and entering export markets.

Later in the programme, Normunds Bergs, CEO of SAF Tehnika, will speak about critical communications, spectrum analysers and electronic warfare.

Niklas Edelsvärd, Sales Director at BAE Systems Land Systems, Edgars Šadris, Deputy State Secretary at the Ministry of Economics, Reinis Purvēns, Head of RAW, and Christian Emaus, Regional Director for the Nordics, Baltics and NATO at Dedrone by Axon, will discuss the journey of dual-use technologies from development to integration into international value chains and cooperation with major system integrators.

Māris Ķuda, Head of Government Relations at Origin Robotics, will address the role of precision technologies on the modern battlefield.

The Forum will conclude with Christian Emaus, Regional Director for the Nordics, Baltics and NATO at Dedrone by Axon, sharing how interconnected data, a common operational picture and rapid decision-making can help regain control of the airspace. Following the conference programme, the EXPO and business meetings will continue until 15:00.

Growth of the defence industry creates new export opportunities

As European countries increase defence investment and strengthen supply chains, new opportunities are emerging not only for defence industry companies but also for civilian manufacturers and technology companies.

The Forum’s priority sectors include artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and ICT, drones and unmanned systems, smart energy and advanced materials, electronics and engineering, as well as the chemical and metalworking industries. The Forum programme will continue on 8 September in Riga with company visits, giving international participants an opportunity to learn more about companies’ technologies and manufacturing capabilities and to continue the discussions initiated in Rēzekne.

The Latvian Dual-Use Export Forum is organised by the Latvian Exporters Association “The Red Jackets” in cooperation with the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA), the Ministry of Economics and the Ministry of Defence. Further information about the Forum, its programme and participants is available on the Latvian Dual-Use Export Forum website.