Kulbergs Promises to Speed Up Joint Drone Factory with Ukraine in Latgale

Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs (AS) emphasized after an extraordinary cabinet meeting in Latgale that Latvia will do everything possible to build a joint drone factory with Ukraine as quickly as possible and locate it in Latvia's border area.

Kulbergs expressed satisfaction with the meeting, calling it "healthy." He noted that decisions made only in Riga cannot address the specific problems of the regions. During the visit, Kulbergs and other ministers toured local businesses and met with municipal representatives.

Kulbergs said that residents highlighted security as the most important issue. Without security, the region experiences a decline in tourism and other sectors. He revealed that in July or August, an anti-drone solution will be deployed along the Russian and Belarusian border to avoid using aviation for every drone threat. The solution is effective but expensive.

Defense Minister Raivis Melnis visited one of the air defense points planned along the entire border, which is equipped with Latvian-made drone interceptors. Melnis also said that the meeting discussed increasing the National Armed Forces in Latgale.

Earlier this month, Kulbergs and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a comprehensive defense cooperation agreement, including co-production. Kulbergs and Melnis agreed to remove political barriers and create "green corridors" for the factory to be located in the border area. Kulbergs hopes to lay the foundation stone this year.

The meeting was held at the National Armed Forces military base "Lūznava" in the Rēzekne district. The agreement with Ukraine also includes the transfer of expertise in unmanned systems and air defense.