Latvia and Ukraine Announce Joint Drone Factory Near Russia Border
On June 29, 2026, Latvian PM Andris Kulbergs announced a joint drone manufacturing facility in Latvia's economically disadvantaged Latgale region, bordering Russia and Belarus. Stemming from a June 9 "Drone Deal" with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, Ukraine will supply strike drones and robotic systems, while Latvia will provide anti-drone systems. Construction is expected in 2026. The project follows a May incident where a suspected Ukrainian drone explosion at a Latvian oil facility triggered a political crisis. Counter-drone systems will deploy along the border in July-August to reduce reliance on fighter intercepts.
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Latvia and Ukraine to Build Joint Drone Factory Near Russian Border
Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs announced on June 29 that Latvia and Ukraine will build a joint drone manufacturing facility in the Latgale region of eastern Latvia, near the borders with Russia and Belarus. The facility is part of the 'Drone Deal' signed on June 9 between Kulbergs and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Under the agreement, Ukraine will supply Latvia with strike drones, ground robotic complexes, and maritime drone systems, while Latvia will supply Ukraine with domestically produced anti-drone systems. The Latgale region is historically one of Latvia's most economically disadvantaged, and the government aims to boost local investment and jobs. Construction is expected to start this year. The announcement is likely to draw criticism from Moscow, which has accused Baltic states of involvement in Ukraine's drone warfare. Additionally, counter-drone systems will begin operating along Latvia's borders with Russia and Belarus in July and August to reduce the need for fighter aircraft scrambles. The announcement follows a political crisis in Riga after a suspected stray Ukrainian drone exploded at an oil storage facility in May, leading to the resignation of the previous prime minister and defense minister.
C4ISRNetLatvia and Ukraine to Build Joint Drone Factory Near Russian Border
Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs announced on June 29, 2026, that Latvia and Ukraine will build a joint drone manufacturing facility in the Latgale region of eastern Latvia, near the borders with Russia and Belarus. The project is part of a 'Drone Deal' signed on June 9 between Kulbergs and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Under the agreement, Ukraine will supply Latvia with strike drones, ground robotic complexes, and maritime systems, while Latvia will supply Ukraine with anti-drone systems. The factory aims to bring investment to one of Latvia's most economically disadvantaged regions. Additionally, counter-drone systems will be deployed along Latvia's eastern borders in July and August to reduce reliance on fighter intercepts. The announcement follows a political crisis in Latvia triggered by a suspected stray Ukrainian drone explosion at an oil facility in Rēzekne in May, which led to the resignation of the defense minister and prime minister.
C4ISRNetLatvia and Ukraine to Build Joint Drone Factory Near Russian Border
On June 29, 2026, Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs announced a joint Latvian-Ukrainian drone manufacturing facility in Latvia's economically disadvantaged Latgale region, near the borders of Russia and Belarus. The factory operationalizes the 'Drone Deal' signed June 9 between Latvia and Ukraine. Under the agreement, Ukraine will supply Latvia with strike drones and ground/maritime drone systems, while Latvia will provide anti-drone systems. Construction is set to begin in 2026. The move is expected to draw Russian criticism as escalatory. Additionally, counter-drone systems along Latvia's borders with Russia and Belarus will be deployed in July-August, reducing reliance on fighter aircraft. The announcement follows a May incident where a stray Ukrainian drone exploded at an oil facility in Rēzekne, triggering a government reshuffle.
C4ISRNetLatvia and Ukraine to Build Joint Drone Factory Near Russian Border
Latvia and Ukraine have announced plans to build a joint drone manufacturing facility in the Latgale region of eastern Latvia, near the borders with Russia and Belarus. The project stems from the 'Drone Deal' signed on June 9 between Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Ukraine will supply Latvia with strike drones, ground robotic complexes, and maritime drone systems, while Latvia will supply Ukraine with anti-drone systems. The Latgale region, historically economically disadvantaged, is expected to benefit from investment and jobs. Construction is slated to begin in 2026. The announcement is likely to be viewed by Moscow as escalatory. Additionally, counter-drone systems will begin operating along Latvia's borders in July and August to reduce reliance on fighter jet scrambles. The initiative follows a political crisis in Latvia triggered by a stray Ukrainian drone explosion at an oil facility in Rēzekne in May 2026.
Defense NewsLatvia and Ukraine to Build Joint Drone Factory on Border with Russia
Latvia and Ukraine have announced plans to build a joint drone manufacturing facility in Latvia's Latgale region, which borders both Russia and Belarus. The announcement was made by Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs on June 29, 2026, during a visit to a military base. The project stems from a 'Drone Deal' signed on June 9 between Kulbergs and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Under the agreement, Ukraine will supply Latvia with strike drones, ground robotic complexes, and maritime drone systems, while Latvia will supply Ukraine with domestically produced anti-drone systems. The Latgale region is historically one of Latvia's most economically disadvantaged, and Kulbergs stated the government would prioritize investment and jobs there. Construction is expected to begin this year. The move is likely to draw criticism from Moscow, which has previously accused Baltic states of involvement in Ukraine's drone warfare. Additionally, counter-drone systems will be deployed along Latvia's borders with Russia and Belarus in July and August to reduce reliance on fighter aircraft intercepts. The announcement follows a political crisis in Latvia triggered by a suspected stray Ukrainian drone explosion at an oil facility in May.
Defense NewsLatvia and Ukraine to Build Joint Drone Factory on Russian Border
Latvia and Ukraine plan to establish a joint drone manufacturing facility in Latvia's Latgale region, near the borders with Russia and Belarus, Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs announced on June 29. The project stems from a 'Drone Deal' signed on June 9 between Kulbergs and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, making Latvia the sixth country in Ukraine's bilateral drone cooperation framework. Under the agreement, Ukraine will supply Latvia with strike drones and robotic systems, while Latvia will provide anti-drone systems. Kulbergs emphasized the economically disadvantaged region needs investment and jobs. Construction is expected to start this year. The announcement follows a suspected Ukrainian drone explosion at a Latvian oil facility in May, which triggered a government resignation. Additionally, counter-drone systems will be deployed along Latvia's borders with Russia and Belarus starting in July and August. Moscow is expected to view the facility as an escalatory move.
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