Latvia’s Dual-Use Export Forum Highlights Opportunities for Local Companies in the Defence Market

The second Latvian Dual-Use Export Forum took place in Rēzekne on 6–7 September, bringing together around 200 participants from more than 15 countries to explore opportunities for Latvian companies to enter international defence supply chains.

The programme included defence technology demonstrations, expert discussions, an exhibition, company visits and more than 200 pre-arranged business meetings. A key message of the forum was that companies do not necessarily need to manufacture military products to enter the defence market. Businesses providing components, technologies and specialised services can also become part of international defence supply chains.

Uģis Norītis, Deputy State Secretary for Planning at the Latvian Ministry of Defence, said Latvia aims to increase the share of domestic industry in defence procurement to 20% by 2028 and 30% by 2036. Funding for defence innovation is also expected to increase gradually.

Defence and strategy consultant Thibault Normand stressed that innovation alone is not enough for companies seeking to enter the sector. They must also demonstrate reliability and the ability to scale production when demand increases.

“An excellent prototype from an unreliable supplier is not a defence capability,” Normand said, highlighting the importance of supply-chain resilience and production capacity during a crisis.

Latvian companies also presented their international experience. Origin Robotics said its unmanned systems are currently used by the armed forces of eight countries, including Latvia, Ukraine, France and Denmark. SAF Tehnika presented its solutions in communications and radio-frequency control.

The first day of the forum was held alongside the National Armed Forces Industry Day at Lake Kovšu in Rēzekne, where around 70 Latvian military and dual-use technology companies demonstrated their solutions on land, in the air and on water. International participants included representatives of BAE Systems, Dedrone by Axon, Redwire, TensorOne and other organisations.

The forum continued in Riga on 8 September with visits by international participants to Latvian companies.

Organised by the Latvian Exporters Association “The Red Jackets”, the forum highlighted the growing potential of Latvia’s defence technology sector and the opportunities for local companies to become part of international defence supply chains.

Source: Delfi