Latvia President Urges Self-Sufficiency in Defense Production

Latvia must become self-sufficient in ammunition and equipment production – president Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs stated that Latvia must achieve self-sufficiency in the production of ammunition and military equipment to strengthen national defense and reduce reliance on foreign suppliers. Speaking at a defense industry forum in Riga, Rinkēvičs emphasized that the current geopolitical environment demands a strategic shift toward domestic defense manufacturing capabilities. The president highlighted that Latvia’s security strategy now prioritizes building resilient supply chains for critical munitions, including artillery shells, small arms ammunition and protective gear. He noted that recent disruptions in global defense logistics have underscored the vulnerability of depending on external producers, particularly amid heightened regional tensions. Rinkēvičs called for accelerated investment in Latvia’s defense industrial base, urging collaboration between the Ministry of Defense, private manufacturers, and research institutions to scale up production capacity. He referenced ongoing efforts to modernize Soviet-era facilities and attract foreign direct investment in defense technology sectors. The president similarly stressed that self-sufficiency does not imply isolation but rather the ability to sustain operations during crises when international supply lines may be compromised. He pointed to NATO’s renewed focus on defense production resilience as a framework aligning with Latvia’s objectives. While no specific timeline or production targets were announced during the forum, Rinkēvičs confirmed that a national defense industrial strategy is under development and expected to be finalized later this year. The strategy will outline priorities for funding, innovation, and workforce training in defense manufacturing. The Ministry of Defense has not yet released detailed plans for implementing self-sufficiency goals, and no public procurement commitments tied to domestic production have been disclosed. Officials from the ministry declined to comment on specific projects or timelines when approached for clarification.