Latvia’s government and local drone manufacturers are preparing a shipment of 1,000 combat drones “for various purposes” to Ukraine.
Latvian Defense Minister Andris Spruds also announced that the Baltic country will allocate 20 million euros ($20.59 million) this year for drone purchases for Ukraine as part of a coalition led by Riga and the UK to support Kyiv’s air defense.
No further details were provided about the type of unmanned aircraft being sent to Ukraine.
0.25 Percent of GDP for Ukraine
Last month, Latvia approved a 1.5-billion-euro ($2 billion) defense budget for 2025, which includes 0.25 percent of GDP dedicated to military assistance for Kyiv, including troop training and equipment.
Overall, Riga’s defense investment will equal 3.45 percent of GDP, 20 percent more than required by NATO standards.
“Considering the geopolitical situation in Europe, the strategic goal is to achieve Ukraine’s victory in the war against invaders,” stated the Latvian government.
In June 2024, the Latvian Ministry of Defense announced the upcoming delivery of over 2,500 military drones to Ukraine with a first batch of 300 unmanned aerial vehicles worth 4 million euros ($4.34 million).
Tensions Between Russia and Latvia
The Baltic republics, all NATO members bordering Russia, have been on high alert since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.
Tensions between Latvia and Moscow heightened in September last year when the Baltic nation said that a Russian military drone crashed on Latvian territory, raising concerns along NATO’s eastern borders.
