On Tuesday 5 December, the Cabinet of Ministers supported the redistribution of appropriations in the amount of EUR 200 million to ensure the implementation of the priority measure ‘Air-Defence System’ related to national security.
The reallocation of appropriations is made from the budgetary department ‘74. Funding to be Reallocated during the Annual State Budget Implementation’ of the programme 18.00.00 ‘Funding for Measures to Strengthen National Security’ to the budget sub-programme of the Ministry of Defence 22.12.00 ‘Maintenance of the National Armed Forces’.
As already reported, from 2023 to 2027, Latvia will invest an additional EUR 200 million annually, by investing one billion euros in the strengthening of air defence capabilities over five years, thus increasing its defence capabilities, maintaining the Euro-Atlantic foreign policy course and strengthening Latvia’s security in the challenging geopolitical situation.
On 30 November this year, the Ministry of Defence signed a supply contract with the German company Diehl Defence on the purchase of the IRIS-T mid-range air defence system.
By signing a supply contract for approximately EUR 600 million, Latvia will receive all the necessary equipment for the efficient operation of IRIS-T systems, which will ensure the introduction of layered air defence in Latvia. The delivery of mid-range air defence systems by Diehl Defence will start in 2026.
