Spruds noted that Latvia must do its "homework": this year defense spending will approach 4% of gross domestic product (GDP), and next year it will reach 5% of GDP.
There has been a fundamental shift in thinking in the field of security, and this trend must continue, with Europeans raising the bar on security issues, said Defense Minister Andris Spruds on Friday at the security and foreign policy forum "Riga Conference."
He emphasized that we are talking about existential threats that the world faces today, as well as the readiness to adapt to new conditions.
According to the minister, now is the time to act more decisively, raise the level of thinking, contribute, and be ready to defend not only individual territories but the entire NATO community.
At the same time, Spruds noted the importance of investments in defense. "Without investments that confirm our commitment, it is impossible to implement the right mindset. Even with the right approach, without financial resources, it is impossible to obtain the necessary capabilities, implement regional plans, and build a full-fledged defense architecture," said the minister.
He pointed out that Latvia is doing its homework: this year defense spending will approach 4% of gross domestic product (GDP), and next year it will reach 5% of GDP.
The Minister of Defense also emphasized the importance of technology. He noted that a military revolution is taking place on the battlefield in Ukraine today - the war has become more "transparent" than ever, with new technologies being applied.
Latvia has focused on developing drone technologies and has created a coalition of drones in collaboration with the United Kingdom. "We are building an army of drones and are ready to lead the development of the EU's capabilities in this area," said Spruds, emphasizing that this is not only about the drones themselves but also about counter-drone systems, artificial intelligence, 5G, and other technologies.
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