Latvian defense and dual-use technology companies in Los Angeles and San Diego are meeting with U.S. industry firms “Neros,” “Anduril,” “Shield AI,” “Kratos Defense & Security Solutions,” “Qualcomm,” and “Starling Systems.” The program, organized by the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA), is taking place as part of President Edgars Rinkēvičs’ working visit to the U.S. Its goal is to help Latvian developers and manufacturers find U.S. clients, investors, system integrators, and manufacturing partners, as well as to explore opportunities to participate in joint product development, testing, and supply chains.
“The U.S. is one of the world’s largest markets for defense technology. It is home to global system integrators and investors capable of financing rapid product development and scaling up production. Latvia’s exports of goods and services to the U.S. exceeded one billion euros in 2025, and our next goal is to increase the share of high-value-added technologies in these exports. Latvian companies are participating in the talks by presenting their solutions, engineering expertise, and manufacturing capabilities. The goal is to find partners with whom to jointly develop, test, and manufacture new products. “The value of these negotiations will be determined by future technical cooperation, orders, and investments,” emphasizes Raivis Bremšmits, State Secretary of the Ministry of Economics.
In Southern California—negotiations with next-generation defense technology companies
The Latvian delegation in Los Angeles and San Diego will meet with “Neros,” “Anduril,” “Shield AI,” “Kratos Defense & Security Solutions,” “Qualcomm,” and “Starling Systems.” The talks will focus on opportunities for cooperation in component supply, joint product development, testing, and manufacturing, as well as the integration of Latvian companies into the supply chains of U.S. partners. Each Latvian company will participate in the talks based on its specific area of expertise and commercial objectives.
A business roundtable discussion is scheduled in Torrance, where the Latvian delegation will meet with defense and dual-use technology companies in the Torrance area. The discussion is expected to cover the technology offerings of Latvian companies, joint product development and manufacturing, as well as opportunities to participate in U.S. supply chains.
The technology sectors represented by these U.S. companies generally include tactical and autonomous unmanned systems, anti-drone solutions, defense electronics, AI-based control software, sensors, radio communications, microchips, connectivity and high-performance computing technologies, as well as space, hypersonic, and rocket engine solutions.
The technologies developed are intended for reconnaissance, target acquisition, the transport of various cargoes, the protection of facilities and military units, data processing and transmission, as well as autonomous operation in conditions where communications or navigation signals are disrupted or unavailable. The operation of such systems requires secure data transmission, radio electronics, sensors, energy-efficient microchips, software, and the integration of various technologies into a single system.
Latvian companies in these fields can offer electronics and communications modules, sensors, software, system integration expertise, and manufacturing capabilities. The purpose of the meeting is to determine which Latvian solutions meet the technical requirements of U.S. partners and in which projects Latvian companies could participate as partners in technology development, testing, manufacturing, or supply chains. Practical cooperation will be possible following an assessment of technical requirements, interoperability, and commercial terms.
“Latvian companies combine strong engineering expertise with the ability to quickly develop and adapt technologies to real-world defense needs. We see potential for cooperation in the fields of unmanned systems, secure communications, sensors, software, and systems integration. Working together with Latvian partners can help develop and test solutions that strengthen the technological readiness and interoperability of allies on NATO’s eastern flank.” . “During this visit, we hope to identify specific joint projects and agree on the next steps for technical cooperation,” says Ido Gurs, founder and CEO of Starling Systems.
San Diego – Autonomy, Military Aviation, and Connectivity
San Diego is one of the most important centers for U.S. military aviation, unmanned systems, and defense technologies. Separate meetings are planned with each U.S. partner, taking into account the specific offerings and development goals of Latvian companies.
The discussions will focus on the operation of autonomous platforms in complex electromagnetic environments, secure data transmission, sensor technology, the use of artificial intelligence, the interoperability of various systems, and the integration of technologies into a single product. Separate discussions will also cover connectivity, microchips, and embedded data processing technologies necessary for the operation of energy-efficient autonomous systems.
The experience of Latvian companies in electronics, secure data transmission, sensor technology, software, and systems integration provides a foundation for technical discussions with U.S. partners. During the meetings, the parties plan to determine whether specific Latvian products or engineering expertise could be useful in joint projects or supply chains. Another area of discussion could be the adaptation of technologies to the requirements of European allies, provided both sides see a technical and commercial rationale for doing so.
Latvia offers technology, engineers, and manufacturing expertise
Defense and dual-use technology programs are represented by “Aumeux,” “SAF North America,” “Origin Robotics,” “Raw-tech,” SIA “Ardlat,” “Perkons Energy,” LMT, “LMT Defense,” “VIC TEC,” as well as the Latgale Special Economic Zone, the Latvian Exporters Association “The Red Jackets,” the Latvian Security and Defense Industry Federation, the Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the University of Latvia, and Riga Technical University.
“The Latvian delegation’s offering is not limited to a single product or technology. It combines expertise in unmanned and anti-drone systems, radio communications, electronics, sensor technology, software, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and manufacturing. Our task is to find a place for these technologies in specific projects of U.S. companies. “The success of the mission will be determined not by the number of meetings, but by the companies’ ability to continue technical discussions after the visit, proceed to testing, and establish commercially viable partnerships,” notes LIAA Director Ieva Jāgere.
A specific example of Latvia’s technology offerings is AS “SAF Tehnika.” Based in Riga, the company develops and manufactures microwave radio communication equipment for high-capacity data transmission, solutions for networks with extremely low latency, and portable radio frequency spectrum analyzers. This equipment is used to test communication quality, analyze radio signals, and detect interference.
“The U.S. is the world’s richest market, and every exporter’s dream is to secure a place at this table! The LIAA has done a tremendous job organizing meetings with the most prominent U.S. companies in the dual-use sector. A very small, motivated team of LIAA employees has accomplished what larger countries do with many times more resources, and I have been eagerly awaiting my arrival in California to participate in this valuable program,” notes Jānis Bergs, board member and vice president of sales and business development at SAF Tehnika.
Following the visit, Latvian companies will continue negotiations with those partners with whom specific technical or commercial points of contact have been identified. The LIAA will provide support in coordinating contacts, addressing U.S. market issues, and securing appropriate export and investment support instruments.
The defense and dual-use technology program is part of the Latvian business trade mission to the U.S. organized by the LIAA, which will run through September 27 and cover New York, Los Angeles, and San Diego. Separate sector-specific itineraries have also been prepared for startups, film companies, and life sciences companies.
The LIAA organizes participation in this international trade mission as part of the European Union-co-financed Program for the Development of Innovative Entrepreneurship in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs), with support from the European Regional Development Fund and state funding. A company may participate in a trade mission either by paying a fee or by receiving support to cover eligible expenses.
