Means to Combat Drones - Should We Just Buy from Ukraine or Produce Ourselves? 0 13

“All these expenses are an irrational way to shoot down drones in the future. It is very good that we have such capabilities, and we are proving that these capabilities work both in Estonia and in Latvia. But in the future, such a solution is not the path we should take. Therefore, we — Latvia — have now focused on a drone agreement. This is a large cooperation agreement with Ukraine, which at the moment is the only country in the world that has proven it can shoot down drones with the highest precision and technical capabilities. This is Ukraine,” said Kulbergs at a press conference.

However, the head of the Association of Military Technologies, Drones, and Robotics, director of the analytical center "Center for Northern European Policy" Artis Pabriks has a different opinion on this issue. He emphasizes that while strengthening Latvia's capabilities to combat such threats, one should not forget about the potential of the local industry and the opportunities that Latvian enterprises can already offer.

Pabriks acknowledges that the public's concern after recent drone incidents is understandable, and the state needs to find ways to protect its airspace more effectively. However, he believes that Latvia should not find itself in a situation where all necessary solutions are sought only abroad.

“If we talk about the security of Latvia and the defense of Latvia, it is important to understand that we cannot allow a situation where, as during the Covid crisis, we purchase all auxiliary means, in this case weapons, drones, and everything else, simply from abroad because it may seem easier.”

According to him, the Latvian drone industry is capable of offering high-quality products that not only match but in some aspects exceed the solutions produced in Ukraine, as they use higher quality solutions. Pabriks points out that several Latvian companies have been exporting their products for years and have proven their competitiveness in the international market.

“I can say with full confidence that the Latvian drone industry, all products and items produced in Latvia, are definitely not inferior in quality or level to those produced in Ukraine.”

As examples, Pabriks names companies such as Redwire, Origin Robotics, DK Unity, Gorgon Optronics, Eraser, Belss, as well as several younger enterprises in the industry.

At the same time, Pabriks emphasizes that Ukraine's advantages are largely related to the experience gained during the war, pilot training, and practical application, not just the capabilities of the industry.

In his opinion, too much dependence on foreign suppliers in the long term can create risks for both national security and the economy.

At the same time, Pabriks emphasizes that this does not mean a refusal to cooperate with Ukraine. On the contrary, he sees an opportunity to develop joint projects that would combine both Ukrainian experience and the knowledge and production capacities of Latvian enterprises.

He believes that before the state makes a decision to purchase any product abroad, it should first assess whether local enterprises can provide a similar solution. This is especially important at a time when there is increasing talk about supply security and the need to rely on one's own resources in crisis situations.

Pabriks also points out the problems that several Latvian companies in the military technology sector have faced in recent years. He notes that some local manufacturers have been unable to fully enter the Latvian market because their developed prototypes have not been purchased or tested for a long time.

“We also know the situation that has developed over the last three years, when a number of Latvian startups have not even been able to enter the Latvian market because no one has even tried to purchase their prototypes, which is a completely opposite situation compared to many other European countries where the government buys prototypes, tests them together with the industry, together with manufacturers, and then improves the product.”

Speaking about cooperation between the state and local manufacturers, Pabriks notes that the problem is not only related to testing prototypes and procurement. In his opinion, in certain areas where Latvian companies are already able to offer ready-made solutions, demand from the state has been very limited.

“From marine drones, the National Armed Forces of Latvia have hardly purchased any in the last three years.”

Pabriks also emphasizes that products made in Latvia are already being used in Ukraine and have proven their quality in practice.

“A large part of the products of the modern Latvian drone industry has been used in Ukraine for years, and many of their units are grateful for the quality of these products. Therefore, it is completely wrong to think that Latvian products are uncompetitive and unable to meet the tasks set before them if such tasks were assigned.”

Pabriks believes that providing assistance to Ukraine and developing Latvia's defense industry do not contradict each other. In his opinion, state support for Ukraine should simultaneously strengthen both the local economy and the capabilities of Latvian enterprises.

“It is important that we provide Ukraine with assistance, economic assistance, financial assistance, but first and foremost this should go through procurement in the Latvian industry, through products, and not just in monetary form, because we need to not only provide greater assistance to Ukraine's security but also strengthen our own security,” emphasizes Pabriks.

Pabriks also points out that the Association of Military Technologies, Drones, and Robotics would be ready to explain the opportunities of the industry more broadly. In his opinion, decisions on defense procurement should be based on a full understanding of what Latvian enterprises can already offer.

He emphasizes that in strengthening the security of Latvia, both the accumulated experience of allies and Ukraine and the potential of the local industry, which is already capable of offering internationally competitive solutions, should be utilized.