On November 2 in Paris, Latvia joined the European Defense Alliance to expand cooperation between Latvian defense industry companies and their European partners. The agreement was signed by Ieva Jāgere, Director of the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA), and Pascal Lagarde, CEO of the French public investment bank “Bpifrance.” Following the signing, the Latvian delegation is scheduled to hold talks with “Bpifrance” leadership regarding the evaluation of projects by Latvian companies and opportunities for securing financing.
The European Defense Alliance is an industry and innovation cooperation network led by “Bpifrance” and coordinated by “EuroQuity.” It brings together companies, investors, innovation support organizations, and representatives of the armed forces, helping to forge partnerships for the development and implementation of technologies in the defense sector. Latvia’s accession to the alliance continues the cooperation between LIAA and “Bpifrance.”
“Defense technologies developed in Latvia must become products manufactured in Latvia and lead to export orders. To achieve this, companies need capital to develop their manufacturing capabilities and partners to help them reach new markets. Joining the alliance expands this network of partners, while in our discussions with “Bpifrance,” we will explore funding opportunities for projects by Latvian companies. “Our ambition is to strengthen the role of Latvian companies in European defense supply chains by developing manufacturing and creating jobs for qualified specialists here in Latvia,” emphasizes Ieva Jāgere, Director of the LIAA.
The talks will assess funding opportunities for Latvian companies
The Latvian delegation in talks with “Bpifrance” leadership will include LIAA Director Ieva Jāgere, State Secretary of the Ministry of Defense Airis Rikveilis, and Director of the Department of Defense Industry and Innovation Policy Diāna Baranova. The plan is to discuss loan and equity investment opportunities, project evaluation criteria, and the conditions under which Latvian companies, in collaboration with French partners, could secure financing.
Attention will be focused on both the growth of startups and the expansion of production, as well as potential cooperation on strategically important defense industry projects. The goal of the discussions is to determine which projects might be suitable for further evaluation and what Latvian companies would need to prepare them.
Latvian companies will showcase technologies and seek industrial partners
The agreement was signed during “European Defence Week 2026,” which is taking place in Paris from November 2 to 6. For the second year in a row, the LIAA is organizing the participation of a delegation of Latvian companies and innovation support organizations in the event, which is also attended by officials from the Ministry of Defense.
The Latvian delegation includes representatives from “Primekss,” “LAT Security,” “DK UNITY,” “Electrify,” “SUBmerge Baltic,” “UniLab,” “Detexity,” “OsteoWood,” and “LMT Defence – Allied Tech Labs.” Their areas of expertise include materials technology, secure communications, cybersecurity, autonomous systems, and maritime and space technologies, including solutions for both civilian and defense needs.
Throughout the week, Latvian companies will present their solutions to potential industrial partners and investors. The presentations will cover military mission systems, manufacturing and logistics, health technologies, maritime technologies, as well as artificial intelligence and decision-making systems.
Latvian representatives will also participate in industry discussions. Gatis Jaško, a representative of “Primekss,” will discuss the role of materials, components, and subcontractors in the defense industry, while Andris Baumanis, a representative of “UniLab,” will discuss how startups can become partners in the defense sector. Jānis Grēviņš, a representative of “LMT Defence – Allied Tech Labs,” will participate in discussions on the protection of underwater infrastructure and European capabilities in the field of space technology, while Kārlis Bērziņš, a representative of “SUBmerge Baltic,” will discuss autonomous maritime systems. Deniss Čamovs, Head of the Investment Attraction Division at LIAA, will discuss the growth of defense startups and small and medium-sized enterprises.
On the first day of the event, Airis Rikveilis, State Secretary of the Ministry of Defense, delivered a speech on the capabilities of the European defense industry, the pace of its development, and the strengthening of sovereignty. Lieutenant Colonel Edgars Allers, Latvia’s defense attaché to France, Germany, and Austria, will participate in a discussion on the prospects for Baltic defense, while Diāna Baranova will take part in talks on the priorities of the European defense industry and the development of solutions tailored to military needs.
The trade mission organized by the LIAA will continue on November 6 with a visit by representatives of Latvia’s defense sector and companies to the international maritime defense and security exhibition “Euronaval” in Paris to explore the latest technologies and establish contacts with potential cooperation partners.
European Defense Week is organized by “Bpifrance” and “EuroQuity,” bringing together companies, investors, government agencies, and military representatives. The participation of Latvian companies in the trade mission is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund.
About the Latvian Investment and Development Agency (LIAA)
LIAA promotes the competitiveness of Latvian businesses, export growth, and the attraction of investment, while also developing the tourism sector and implementing the country’s image policy. The agency acts as the government’s partner in business development—from the initial idea to international markets. With an extensive network of representative offices abroad and regional business centers in Latvia, LIAA helps companies grow and positions Latvia as a safe, innovative, and open country in the global economy.