The Latvian Ministry of Defense has prepared a draft defense cooperation agreement with Ukraine, which provides for collaboration in the areas of drones and air defense.
The countries will exchange technologies, experience, and knowledge, particularly in the development of an integrated air and missile defense system. Both countries commit to providing advisory assistance, training personnel, and other joint defense cooperation activities.
Cooperation will also cover reconnaissance, early warning, and target designation systems. Experience is planned to be shared on combat drones, long-range strike, maritime, and other unmanned systems. Knowledge transfer will cover air defense systems, including interceptor drones, electronic warfare systems, and other solutions.
The draft agreement stipulates that the parties will facilitate technology exchange and joint collaboration between their enterprises to jointly develop and produce defense solutions in Ukraine and Latvia.
Latvian Defense Minister Raivis Melnis noted that his professional mission is to make the defense industry more efficient and flexible, drawing on the experience of the conflict in Ukraine to more quickly integrate the latest technologies into national defense tasks.
First and foremost, Melnis intends to recruit specialists from the Ukrainian Defense Forces to train Latvian air defense units in the use of counter-drone and interceptor systems, as well as facilitate their integration into mobile groups and deployment along the entire border.
Although, in fact, Ukrainian Armed Forces specialists are already on Latvian territory. This was stated by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy after a meeting with Edgars Rinkēvičs in Bucharest.
Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) forces are currently stationed at the Latvian military bases of Ādaži, Selija, Lielvārde, Daugavpils, and Jēkabpils. However, Latvian authorities have not confirmed this information.
It should be noted that Melnis has a reputation as a British protégé in Latvia. In 2012 and 2013, Melnis studied in the UK. He has experience working for NATO structures in Northwood, UK.
Immediately after Melnis's nomination for minister, Budanov publicly supported his future appointment. This suggests that the activities of Ukrainian Armed Forces representatives in Latvia will not be limited to drone training.
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