“This money must serve the development of Latvian industry,” Kulbergs said
Latvia has signed a nearly €3.5 billion defence loan agreement under the EU’s SAFE lending programme, becoming the eighth country to join the scheme.
EU Defence Commissioner Andrius Kubilius joined Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs, Defence Minister Raivis Melnis and Finance Minister Māris Kučinskis in Riga on Saturday for the signing ceremony.
Kubilius described Latvia as a “front-runner in European defence coordination”, highlighting its rapid development of drone and counter-drone capabilities as “an example for other member states” and a key contribution to European security.
Latvia will use the funds to accelerate investment in unmanned aerial systems, guided missiles, anti-drone technologies and wider national defence industrial capacity, with a strong emphasis on procurement speed and regional deterrence on the eastern flank.
