Estonian Defense Startup Opens Missile Assembly Plant in Riga

New defense facility in Riga

Estonian startup Frankenburg Technologies has opened a weapons systems and missile assembly plant in Riga, its first production site in the Baltic region. The facility, which took a year to build, will specialize in assembling guided anti-aircraft missile systems, including electronics and weapons integration, as well as testing and quality control.

Production capacity and workforce

Spanning nearly 1,000 square meters, the plant is expected to employ 50 people. Combined with a planned final assembly plant in Ādaži, output is projected to reach 100 missiles per day by the end of the year. In 2024, the company aims to produce 1,500 missiles.

Cost reduction goals

Frankenburg's Mark I interceptor missiles are designed to be significantly cheaper, with costs expected to drop more than tenfold, enabling mass production for Europe and allies. According to CEO Kusti Salms, the company plans to expand production to Estonia, the United Kingdom, and Poland, targeting an annual output of one million missiles.

EU support

European Union Defense Commissioner Andrius Kubilius attended the opening ceremony, stating that Europe needs to transition from limited, expensive production to affordable systems manufactured in larger quantities. He described Frankenburg's operations in Riga as a model for the industry and a new mindset required to strengthen Europe's defense readiness.

Company background

The subsidiary SIA Frankenburg Technologies was registered in Latvia in October 2024 with a capital of €3,800. The ultimate beneficial owner is Taavi Madiberk, co-founder and CEO of Skeleton Technologies, an ultracapacitor manufacturer.