Latvia joined the European Defence Alliance in Paris on 2 November to expand cooperation between Latvian defence industry companies and European partners. The agreement was signed by Ieva Jāgere, Director of the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA), and Pascal Lagarde, Executive Director of the French public investment bank Bpifrance. Following the signing, the Latvian delegation is scheduled to hold talks with Bpifrance management on evaluating projects proposed by Latvian companies and exploring financing opportunities.

The European Defence Alliance is an industry and innovation cooperation network led by Bpifrance and coordinated by EuroQuity. It brings together companies, investors, innovation support organisations and representatives of the armed forces, helping to establish partnerships for the development and deployment of technologies in the defence sector. Latvia’s accession to the alliance builds on the existing cooperation between LIAA and Bpifrance.

“Defence technologies developed in Latvia must become products manufactured in Latvia and generate export orders. To achieve this, companies need capital to expand production and partners to access new markets. Joining the alliance broadens our network of potential partners, while discussions with Bpifrance will allow us to explore financing opportunities for Latvian companies’ projects. Our ambition is to strengthen the role of Latvian companies in European defence supply chains by developing manufacturing capabilities and creating jobs for highly qualified specialists here in Latvia,” emphasises LIAA Director Ieva Jāgere.

Talks to Explore Financing Opportunities for Latvian Companies

The Latvian delegation’s discussions with Bpifrance management will involve LIAA Director Ieva Jāgere, Ministry of Defence State Secretary Airis Rikveilis, and Diāna Baranova, Director of the Defence Industry and Innovation Policy Department.

The discussions will focus on opportunities for loans and equity investments, project evaluation criteria, and the conditions under which Latvian companies could attract financing in cooperation with French partners.

Particular attention will be paid to startup growth and manufacturing expansion, as well as potential cooperation on strategically important defence industry projects. The aim is to identify projects that could be suitable for further evaluation and determine what Latvian companies would need to prepare them for consideration.

Latvian Companies to Showcase Technologies and Seek Industrial Partners

The agreement was signed during European Defence Week 2026, taking place in Paris from 2 to 6 November. For the second consecutive year, LIAA is organising the participation of a delegation of Latvian companies and innovation support organisations in the event, which is also attended by officials from the Ministry of Defence.

The Latvian delegation includes Primekss, LAT Security, DK UNITY, Electrify, SUBmerge Baltic, UniLab, Detexity, OsteoWood, and LMT Defence – Allied Tech Labs. Their expertise spans materials technologies, secure communications, cybersecurity, autonomous systems, maritime and space technologies, including solutions for both civilian and defence applications.

Throughout the week, Latvian companies will present their solutions to potential industrial partners and investors. The presentations will cover military mission systems, manufacturing and logistics, healthcare technologies, maritime technologies, as well as artificial intelligence and decision-support systems.

Latvian representatives will also participate in industry discussions.

Gatis Jaško of Primekss will discuss the role of materials, components and subcontractors in the defence industry, while Andris Baumanis of UniLab will address how startups can become partners in the defence sector.

Jānis Grēviņš of LMT Defence – Allied Tech Labs will participate in discussions on protecting underwater infrastructure and Europe’s capabilities in space technologies, while Kārlis Bērziņš of SUBmerge Baltic will focus on autonomous maritime systems.

Deniss Čamovs, Head of LIAA’s Investment Attraction Division, will discuss the growth of defence startups and small and medium-sized enterprises.

On the first day of the event, Ministry of Defence State Secretary Airis Rikveilis delivered an address on European defence industrial capacity, the pace of development and strengthening sovereignty.

Latvia’s Defence Attaché to France, Germany and Austria, Lieutenant Colonel Edgars Allers, will participate in a discussion on Baltic defence perspectives, while Diāna Baranova will contribute to discussions on European defence industry priorities and the development of solutions that meet military requirements.

The trade mission organised by LIAA will continue on 6 November with a visit by Latvian defence industry and business representatives to Euronaval, the international naval defence and security exhibition in Paris. The visit aims to provide insights into the latest technologies and facilitate contacts with potential cooperation partners.

European Defence Week is organised by Bpifrance and EuroQuity, bringing together companies, investors, government institutions and military representatives.

The participation of Latvian companies in the trade mission is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund.