Ukraine and Latvia Agree on Joint Work Directions for Unmanned Systems Development

Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov announced on June 13 that he and Latvian Defense Minister Raimonds Mālnieks have agreed on joint work directions for the development of unmanned systems. During the meeting, the ministers discussed further steps in cooperation on unmanned systems and technologies to counter aerial threats.

Fedorov stated on social media that Ukrainian technologies and combat experience help partner countries adapt more quickly to modern warfare challenges, while allied support enables faster scaling of solutions that have already proven effective on the battlefield.

A particular focus of the conversation was the development of partnership under the "Drone Deal" framework and the launch of new joint projects. The parties also identified priority areas for using partner resources to strengthen Ukraine's defense forces.

Among the practical work directions, Fedorov highlighted the supply of Latvian-manufactured anti-drone systems, as well as unmanned systems for the Armed Forces, including strike drones, ground robotic complexes, and marine drones.

It is worth recalling that on June 9, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, during his visit to Estonia for the Nordic-Baltic Eight summit, held his first meeting with new Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs, where they signed an agreement on drones, the so-called "Drone Deal." At a briefing during the visit, Zelenskyy said that Ukraine could send experts to Baltic countries to help them protect against "stray" Ukrainian drones.