This week, Latvian entrepreneurs began a trade mission to the United States, participating in one of the world’s most important defense industry events — the AUSA Annual Meeting & Exposition in Washington. Participation in such a major exhibition demonstrates Latvia’s ambition to become a key innovation, technology, and defense industry hub in the Baltic region.
The mission, led by Minister of Economics Viktors Valainis and implemented by the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA), brings together around 50 Latvian entrepreneurs. Their goal is to establish new contacts, strengthen cooperation with U.S. partners, and attract investment in areas such as defense technologies, energy, and ICT.
“Participation in the AUSA exhibition is an important step in promoting the international recognition of Latvia’s defense and high-tech industry. Companies, investors, and policymakers meet here, creating the conditions for the development of new collaboration projects. Latvian companies such as Edge Autonomy, Exonicus, SAF Tehnika, and others are already successfully operating in the U.S. market. I am confident that this mission will produce tangible results both in new partnerships and in projects that will strengthen our economy and overall security,” said Minister of Economics Viktors Valainis.
Latvia – Defense Innovation Hub in Europe
In recent years, Latvia’s defense and dual-use sector has experienced rapid growth. According to the international publication FDI Intelligence, Latvia is becoming a European leader in drone and cybersecurity innovation, thanks to active public-private cooperation and investments in research and testing infrastructure.
Following the Latvian government’s decision to allocate up to 5% of GDP to defense by 2026, more than EUR 1 billion is planned for military infrastructure development, including drone and counter-drone technologies. Several Latvian companies are ready to offer their technologies to the international market, including the U.S., generating revenue from exports.
“If the U.S. wants it and needs it, others will too. In our case, the U.S. recognized the trauma simulator created by Exonicus, which has also attracted interest from the Latvian Armed Forces and others. Entering the civilian market with this type of solution is even harder than in the defense sector, so the first client is crucial. Participation in major defense exhibitions is one of the best ways to present ourselves internationally,” said Sandis Kondrāts, founder of Exonicus.
Similarly, Liene Vītola, CEO of Oruga, which developed the world’s first electric tracked motorcycle, emphasized the importance of such exhibitions for meeting industry leaders and potential investors.
“Under other circumstances, arranging meetings with the management of leading global defense companies would be nearly impossible, but here we can meet them all. We have received a lot of positive feedback about our product,” she said.
Latvia in the Drone Coalition – from Riga to Washington
Latvia is currently one of the most active countries in the International Drone Coalition, which aims to provide Ukraine with the latest unmanned technologies. The Drone Summit in Riga in 2025 highlighted Latvia’s leadership in this field — our companies provide both R&D centers and testing ranges, including the Selija military testing ground, which is becoming a NATO-level innovation testing center.
“The U.S., as the world’s largest economy, is also one of Latvia’s key partners in both security and innovation. This trade mission allows us to demonstrate that Latvia offers real solutions for global security needs, from drone systems to artificial intelligence applications in defense. We see great potential for joint research and investment projects with U.S. partners, which is why we are meeting with leading U.S. defense companies such as Lockheed Martin, Pansophico, Northrop Grumman, Rapiscan, and others,” said Ieva Jāgere, Director of LIAA.
Mission Continues – “Spotlight Latvia” Conference
The trade mission will continue with the “Spotlight Latvia” conference on 16 October. The event will gather over 300 participants, including representatives of the U.S. and Latvian governments, corporate leaders, and investment funds. It will serve as a platform to discuss collaboration opportunities in defense, energy, and cybersecurity.
The conference will also be attended by European Commission Commissioner for Economy and Productivity Valdis Dombrovskis, Minister of Finance Arvils Ašeradens, and Minister of Climate and Energy Kaspars Melnis.
Latvian Delegation
The delegation includes:
State Defence Corporation, Latvenergo, Edge Autonomy Riga, Oruga, ZAB Ellex Kļaviņš, University of Latvia Foundation, University of Latvia, Defence Partnership Latvia, SILMOR, Latvian Exporters Association "The Red Jackets", Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Baltic Bullets, Latitude Construction, BELSS, Cooperation Council of Agricultural Organizations, Ludzas Bio-Energy, MN TECH, SAPRA, Deep Space Energy, SAF, RTU/Riga Business School, Amber Hill Studio, Emergn, SPIGULIS & KUKAINIS Law Office, PRIMEKSS, Ernst & Young Baltic, RIX, ZAB Eversheds Sutherland Bitāns, Frankenburg, LMT, Data Crunch.
The trade mission is organized by the Ministry of Economics and LIAA, in cooperation with the Latvian Embassy in the U.S. and the Latvia-America Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
The mission is implemented with the support of the European Regional Development Fund.
LIAA promotes the competitiveness of Latvian businesses, export growth, and investment attraction, develops the tourism sector, and implements national branding policies. The agency acts as a state partner in business development — from the idea to international markets — helping companies grow and positioning Latvia as a safe, innovative, and open country in the global economy.
Photo: Latvian companies participating in the AUSA exhibition in Washington
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