With the participation of more than 140 company representatives from Europe, the United States, and the Baltic states, Latvia’s first Latvian Dual-Use Export Forum 2025 has concluded. The forum was organized by the Latvian export association “The Red Jackets” in cooperation with the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA) and the Kurzeme Planning Region, with support from Liepāja City Municipality.
To promote cooperation between the security, industrial, and innovation sectors, forum participants — including international industry leaders such as Diehl Defence GmbH & Co. KG (Germany), EuroSpike GmbH (Germany), GDELS (Switzerland), Cyber Eagle (USA), Promoteq (Sweden), and others, as well as Latvian companies such as LSEZ Jensen Metal SIA, Stena Line Ports Ventspils, Mosphera, Patria Latvia SIA, Exonicus — took part in discussions, matchmaking sessions, individual meetings, and the forum’s EXPO area.
The forum was opened by Liene Gātere, Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, who emphasized that “dual-use industries, combining security, defence, and innovation, not only strengthen national defence capabilities but also promote economic growth.” “For the first time in Latvia’s history, the defence budget exceeds two billion euros — nearly five percent of GDP — which is a long-term investment in national security, industry, and the future,” she said.
Gātere also highlighted Latvia’s rapid growth in drone technologies, demonstrating that innovation, the defence industry, and international cooperation can flourish when the government, industry, and armed forces work side by side. “Latvian companies are already developing advanced solutions in information and communication technologies, smart energy, innovative materials, and cybersecurity that meet NATO and EU standards and are ready for global cooperation,” she added.
Minister of Economics Viktors Valainis emphasized that “the technology and security sectors are more closely interconnected than ever before. That is why dual-use technologies are now critically important for strengthening the resilience of states and regions.”
“Today, the dual-use technology sector is one of the fastest growing both in Latvia and globally. Latvia is already demonstrating its leadership — our companies are creating innovative solutions in unmanned aerial systems, mobility solutions, optics, and many other fields. The first Latvian Dual-Use Export Forum taking place in Liepāja is an important step in strengthening this ecosystem,” said Laura Štrovalde, Deputy Director of the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia.
During the forum, more than 150 meetings took place between Latvian and international companies, during which cooperation opportunities in technology, manufacturing, and logistics were discussed.
“We highly value the opportunity to meet so many Latvian companies actively working in the dual-use technology field. The forum provides an effective platform for establishing cooperation contacts with a wide range of industry representatives in one place, optimizing resources and time. Dual-use companies, relying on two stable markets — defence and the civilian sector — are able not only to expand their operations and strengthen competitiveness but also to adopt best practices and innovation standards set by the defence industry,” said Katharina Strassenburg, Industry Engagement Project Manager at EuroSpike GmbH (Germany).
“We see great potential for cooperation with Latvian companies, especially in the fields of cybersecurity and artificial intelligence,” emphasized Michael Thiessmeier, Cyber Defense & AI Executive at Cyber Eagle (USA). “The current U.S. administration has repeatedly stated that Latvia is an important ally not only because of cooperation in defence but also due to its leadership, speed, and flexibility. Stronger economic ties between the U.S. and Latvia therefore also mean greater collective security. Every time I arrive in Latvia, I see a strong spirit of innovation — a new generation that truly wants to realize the potential of this country. Artificial intelligence, including in the dual-use technology sector, is currently one of the world’s central topics, and countries that can use it effectively gain real and strategic advantages in both the economy and the security sector.”
“We have created a unique solution with exports to more than 20 countries and are currently developing a new micromobility market segment — it is challenging but provides a significant competitive advantage,” says Klāvs Ašmanis, founder of GLOBAL WOLF MOTORS™. “We are especially pleased that the forum took place in the city where we manufacture our product — the dual-use platform Mosphera, which is already used by the army in Ukraine, while France and Portugal are testing it in their military forces. In Latvia, it is used by the State Police and the Emergency Medical Service. Compared to major European exhibitions, this forum ensured high-quality company representation from different countries, offering both valuable contacts and real potential cooperation partners.”
Continuing to strengthen the competitiveness of Latvian exporters, the Latvian Exporters Association “The Red Jackets” will continue to develop and support initiatives that promote international cooperation and help companies enter new markets, especially in the dual-use technology sector. “Latvia can become one of the region’s leaders in the export of security and innovation if entrepreneurs, the state, and international partners continue working in a unified direction,” said Līva Stūrmane, Executive Director of the association.
Photo gallery Latvian Dual-Use Export Forum 2025
