CONFERENCE
Between January and May of 2025, Minister of Defence Andris Sprūds held meetings with the representatives of universities’ management to summarize the results of cooperation to date and highlight the most important directions for future partnership. The agreement sets out the general framework for cooperation and precisely outlines priority areas – the development of research for national defence needs, innovation and technology transfer, as well as the involvement of universities in NATO and the European Union research and innovation programmes.
The signed agreements do not establish direct financial commitments, but rather provide a clear mechanism for future cooperation to grant the support of defence industry for research and promote the applicability of the research base in the industry, as well as to adapt research to the development needs of the National Armed Forces, contributing to the implementation of the Defence Industry and Innovation Strategy for 2025-2036. This partnership forms a solid foundation for a sustainable and practically oriented cooperation model between the defence industry and scientists.
“In addition to development of military capabilities, strong national defence means close cooperation with the science and research sector. Latvian universities are essential partners in creating knowledge, technologies and innovations that augment our national security. Hereby, we are strengthening mutual trust and long-term cooperation to jointly build a modern and science-based defence industry,” stated A. Sprūds.
The Ministry of Defence appreciates the cooperation with universities to date and looks forward to successful and productive implementation of future plans, jointly investing in national defence and developing Latvia’s defence industry and research.
