On Tuesday, 9 June, at the Baltic and Nordic (NB8) Summit in Tallinn, Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed an agreement on comprehensive defence cooperation between the two countries, providing for Latvia to draw on Ukraine’s experience in defending its airspace against drone attacks.
Under the agreement, Ukraine has undertaken to help transfer expertise, particularly in unmanned systems and air defence, by sharing its unique military and civilian experience. Ukraine has also pledged to support the export of products to expand the capabilities of Latvia’s National Armed Forces. Where support is provided to Ukrainian industry, the parties will explore opportunities for co-production, localisation and technology transfer. The agreement sets out a commitment to develop bilateral cooperation between Latvia and Ukraine. Latvia will support Ukraine’s path towards NATO and the European Union at the political level. The agreement also envisages donations of products from Latvia’s defence industry and equipment from the National Armed Forces, training for Ukrainian soldiers, and contributions to international initiatives, including the Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List (PURL). In addition, it provides for a new dimension of cooperation: procurement from Ukraine’s defence industry, strengthening the defence industry partnership between the two countries.
"Ukraine currently knows better than anyone else in the world how to counter drones. This agreement will enable us to strengthen Latvia’s anti-drone defence capabilities. When signing the cooperation agreement, we agreed that the defence forces of both countries would work closely together to implement it. Sharing knowledge, experience and resources makes us much more effective in strengthening our national defence,” says Andris Kulbergs.
The main areas of military support under the agreement include Latvia’s continued cooperation with Ukraine in the research and development of new military technologies and support for Ukraine over the next 10 years, with its specific form and scope to be decided separately each year. The agreement also covers intelligence sharing, facilitating export licences for procurement to meet the needs of the National Armed Forces, and post-war cooperation. The latter includes sharing experience and helping to rebuild Ukraine, particularly defence-related infrastructure such as communications networks, logistics infrastructure and defence industry facilities. Any budgetary commitments on the part of Latvia will be made only with the explicit approval of the Government and, where necessary, the Saeima.
Andris Kulbergs’ government has committed to focusing on tasks that can be accomplished during the term of the 14th Saeima, with the coalition partners having agreed on a specific list of priorities. National security is one of the key priorities, including support for the defence and internal affairs services in strengthening the border, improving air defence and reinforcing Latvia’s internal and external security.
One of the tasks the government plans to carry out is to promote the use of modern technologies by the defence and internal affairs services, by providing them with additional unmanned systems and organising joint training in the use of modern technologies and unmanned systems. The government also plans to establish an effective unmanned aerial vehicle detection system and to improve air defence and electronic warfare systems, with particular attention to municipalities in border areas.
The government plans to allocate 5% of gross domestic product (GDP) to defence while developing Latvia’s defence industry and technologies in cooperation with its closest allies. The Cabinet of Ministers will continue working to expand the presence of NATO allies in Latvia and will consider allocating additional European Union funding to defence. The government also remains committed to providing comprehensive support to Ukraine.
Agreement on Cooperation in the Field of Defence between the Republic of Latvia and Ukraine (ENG)
The Government Declaration is available on the Cabinet of Ministers’ website, along with the Cooperation Agreement of the coalition parties.
