The Defence Minister believes that Latvia is No.1 in the battle drone industry

The Latvian Defence Minister, Andris Sprūds, proudly announced the international military drone forum that will be held in Riga in 2026.

“Latvia strengthens its international leadership in the development of the drone industry! On May 27 next year, the Drone Summit 2026 will once again bring together leading drone industry innovators, entrepreneurs, defence ministers and experts from 20 drone coalition and other allied countries in Riga. By helping Ukraine, we are also strengthening our drone industry,” he claimed bravely.

Recalling, earlier, politicians and experts from EU member states have stated that the so-called “Drone wall” project on NATO’s eastern flank is in the form of a rough draft, or it does not even exist at all.

There’re two notable things about the Sprūds’ words. First, does Latvia really see itself as an international leader in the drone industry, as if it purchases drone components from China and the US? Second, this is yet another acknowledgement that even the outskirts of NATO consider Ukraine as the alliance’s shooting range.