Latvia and Germany have agreed to jointly establish a production facility for anti-tank mines in Latvia, a move Latvian officials say is critical to bolstering national defense amid heightened regional security concerns. The agreement, formalized by a memorandum of understanding on February 5, will see German arms manufacturer Dynamit Nobel Defence (DND) provide technology and expertise for the project.
Latvian Defence Minister Andris Sprūds attended the signing ceremony, underscoring the strategic importance of the initiative. According to a statement released by the Latvian Ministry of Defence, the facility is intended to ensure the Latvian National Armed Forces have reliable access to critical munitions and reduce dependence on external suppliers. Operations are planned to begin in 2028.
The planned facility will focus on full-cycle production of anti-tank mines and key components, with production capacity designed to support both national needs and potential future exports, officials stated. This development follows a recent order placed last October for a Skorpion 2 remote mine-laying system, also from Dynamit Nobel Defence, signaling a deepening partnership between the two entities.
The move is part of a broader effort by Latvia to strengthen its defense industry. In September 2025, Latvia reached a $321-million deal with Germany’s Rheinmetall to establish an ammunition production facility focused on 155mm shells. Latvia’s State Defence Corporation (SDC) is also involved in a project for modular propellant charge production, known as “ROLLO.”
“Latvia’s national defense is based not only on the support of our allies, but also on our own ability to provide the National Armed Forces with critically important equipment,” Sprūds said, according to a press release. He characterized the creation of the facility as “a strategic step towards military self-sufficiency.”
The agreement with DND includes provisions for technology transfer and the involvement of Latvian industrial companies in the construction and operation of the facility. Detailed preparations are currently underway to develop a cooperation model and define implementation conditions, according to the SDC.
The development comes as Latvia, along with its Baltic neighbors Estonia and Lithuania, continues to reinforce its eastern border in response to Russia’s military actions in Ukraine. Latvian authorities have linked the project to these ongoing security concerns, viewing Russia’s actions as a direct threat to national security.
