{"id":2614,"date":"2026-08-11T10:40:28","date_gmt":"2026-08-11T08:40:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theredjackets.lv\/?p=2614"},"modified":"2026-08-11T10:42:01","modified_gmt":"2026-08-11T08:42:01","slug":"latvia-brings-international-defence-and-dual-use-companies-to-natos-eastern-border","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theredjackets.lv\/en\/latvia-brings-international-defence-and-dual-use-companies-to-natos-eastern-border\/","title":{"rendered":"Latvia brings international defence and dual-use companies to NATO\u2019s eastern border"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

More than 150 participants from 19 countries are coming for the Latvian Dual-Use Export Forum in R\u0113zekne on 6\u20137 September, bringing international companies together with Baltic manufacturers as Europe increases defence investment and restructures its industrial supply chains.<\/strong><\/p>\n

One month before the second Latvian Dual-Use Export Forum, more than 150 participants from 19 countries have already confirmed their participation, reflecting rapidly growing international interest in Latvia\u2019s dual-use technology and defence industry potential.<\/p>\n

The forum will take place on 6\u20137 September in R\u0113zekne, in Latvia\u2019s easternmost region and on the EU and NATO eastern border. It will bring together defence and dual-use manufacturers, technology companies, investors, suppliers and system integrators looking for new partnerships and opportunities in the Baltic region.<\/p>\n

This year\u2019s international representation is broader than ever before. Companies from the United States, Germany, Spain, Italy, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Norway, Finland, the Czech Republic, Romania, Serbia, Ukraine, Lithuania, Estonia<\/strong> and other countries have registered for the forum. International participants among others include GDELS, Analog Devices, HISDESAT, G\u00fchring, Fischer Panda and Sine Engineering<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Overall, representatives of around 50 international companies and up to 120 Latvian companies are expected to participate, with more than 180 business meetings planned.<\/p>\n

\u201cOne month before the forum, we have already reached the highest level of international interest since the forum was established. More than 150 participants from 19 countries demonstrate that Latvia is becoming increasingly visible on the European dual-use and defence industry map. Our goal is to create an environment where companies not only make contacts, but find new cooperation partners, customers and supply chain opportunities. R\u0113zekne was not chosen for this forum by chance \u2013 it is a place where security, industry, innovation and export potential come together,\u201d says L\u012bva St\u016brmane, Chairwoman of the Board of the Latvian Exporters Association \u201cThe Red Jackets\u201d.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Europe\u2019s growing defence industry creates new export opportunities<\/strong><\/p>\n

Dual-use technologies \u2013 solutions that can be used in both civilian and defence sectors \u2013 are currently one of the fastest-growing segments of European industry. European countries are significantly increasing defence investment, restructuring supply chains and actively seeking new, reliable partners.<\/p>\n

For companies able to become part of NATO and European defence industry supply chains, the current shift creates an opportunity to establish strong positions for the long term.<\/p>\n

At the same time, working across civilian and defence markets can make businesses more resilient to market fluctuations. The quality, security and certification standards required by the defence sector can also strengthen companies\u2019 competitiveness in other industries.<\/p>\n

\u201cStrengthening Latvia\u2019s defence capabilities and developing local industry are closely connected. Every company capable of developing technologies, systems or components for defence needs simultaneously strengthens both national security and its own export potential. It is also important for us that the industry has opportunities to demonstrate its solutions in a real-world environment, while receiving direct feedback from soldiers and international partners,\u201d says Raivis Melnis, Minister of Defence of the Republic of Latvia.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The choice of R\u0113zekne gives the forum particular relevance in the current European security environment<\/strong><\/p>\n

Latgale forms the eastern border of Latvia, the European Union and NATO<\/strong>, while R\u0113zekne is a regional centre with significant manufacturing, technology and logistics potential and is increasingly becoming an important location for defence industry development.<\/p>\n

Holding the forum there brings discussions about European defence capacity, industrial resilience and new supply chains directly to a region where security, industrial development and export potential increasingly intersect.<\/p>\n

From technology demonstrations to direct business meetings<\/strong><\/p>\n

The forum will begin on 6 September with Industry Day, featuring defence technology demonstrations. Participants will have an opportunity to explore Latvia\u2019s defence innovation ecosystem, visit LEAX R\u0113zekne, Bee Tactics and VEREMS, and take part in networking activities and individual business meetings.<\/strong><\/p>\n

On 7 September<\/strong>, the main forum programme will take place at the GORS Concert Hall in R\u0113zekne<\/strong>, featuring expert panel discussions on the development of the dual-use and defence industries, technology presentations by Latvian companies, an EXPO area and pre-scheduled individual meetings with potential customers, investors, suppliers, as well as NATO and European Union system integrators.<\/p>\n

On 8 September<\/strong>, international delegations and other interested participants will have an opportunity to take part in company visits in Riga.<\/p>\n

The Latvian Dual-Use Export Forum is organised by the Latvian Exporters Association \u201cThe Red Jackets\u201d in cooperation with the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA), the Ministry of Economics and the Ministry of Defence.<\/p>\n

Media access<\/strong><\/p>\n

International media are welcome to attend. Interviews can be arranged with government representatives, organisers and participating Latvian and international companies. The programme offers opportunities for filming, photography and interviews during the technology demonstrations, company visits and the main conference and EXPO.<\/p>\n

A<\/strong> limited number of hosted places, covering travel and accommodation for international journalists, are available on request<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

For media enquiries and accreditation:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Signe N\u012bgale
Latvian Exporters Association \u201cThe Red Jackets\u201d
Phone: +371 29116146
www.theredjackets.lv<\/a><\/p>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

More than 150 participants from 19 countries are coming for the Latvian Dual-Use Export Forum in R\u0113zekne on 6\u20137 September, bringing international companies together with Baltic manufacturers as Europe increases defence investment and restructures its industrial supply chains.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2616,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[22],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2614","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/theredjackets.lv\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2614","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/theredjackets.lv\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/theredjackets.lv\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theredjackets.lv\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theredjackets.lv\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2614"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/theredjackets.lv\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2614\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2618,"href":"https:\/\/theredjackets.lv\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2614\/revisions\/2618"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theredjackets.lv\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2616"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/theredjackets.lv\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2614"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theredjackets.lv\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2614"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theredjackets.lv\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2614"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}