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US Congress approves more than USD 200 million in funding for Baltic security in 2026
On 4 February, the US Congress approved USD 200 million in security assistance for Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania under the Baltic Security Initiative as part of the US defence budget for the 2026 financial year.
The funding aims to strengthen Baltic defence capabilities and improve interoperability with the United States and NATO allies.
Latvian Defence Minister Andris Sprūds described the decision as a strong signal of deterrence and transatlantic unity, reaffirming the United States as a key strategic partner for Latvia.
Additional US military financing has been allocated separately to Estonia under the Foreign Military Financing (FMF) programme.
"Frankenburg Technologies" has raised €30 million and will establish two production facilities
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European defence technology company Frankenburg Technologies has secured €30 million funding to scale the development and mass production of precision-guided missile systems in Europe, including manufacturing capacity in Latvia.
Founded in 2024 in response to the growing imbalance between low-cost drone threats and expensive interceptor missiles, the company recently advanced its first product — the short-range air defence missile Mark I — from concept to field testing within 13 months.
The investment will support the establishment of European supply chains and two EU-based production facilities, each designed to reach a capacity of at least 100 missiles per day, strengthening Europe’s defence resilience and industrial autonomy.
Latvia advances defence industrial capacity with anti-tank mine production agreement
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On 5 February, SIA "Valsts aizsardzības korporācija" and the German defence company Dynamit Nobel Defence signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish an anti-tank mine production facility in Latvia.
The project aims to meet the needs of the National Armed Forces and strengthen national defence capabilities.
Following the signing, both parties will begin detailed preparatory work to develop the cooperation model and agree on implementation terms.
The facility is expected to become operational in 2028, strengthening supply resilience and creating export opportunities.
Estonia, Latvia, and Belgium take delivery of BLAZE interceptor drones from Origin Robotics
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In February, Latvian defence technology company Origin Robotics began delivering its autonomous BLAZE drone interceptor system to Latvia, Belgium and Estonia.
The system, developed and manufactured in Latvia, is a NATO-compatible interceptor drone equipped with a warhead and designed to counter unmanned aerial threats.
In Latvia, the Autonomous Systems Competence Center will oversee testing and integration into the armed forces. The deployment supports broader NATO efforts to strengthen counter-drone capabilities along the Alliance’s eastern flank.
Lithuania has received all 500 Oshkosh Defense light tactical combat vehicles from the United States
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Lithuania has received all 500 Joint Light Tactical Vehicles (JLTV) manufactured by Oshkosh Defense under a procurement contract signed with the United States in 2019, completing a major military modernisation programme.
The final two vehicles were delivered in mid-February, bringing the Lithuanian Armed Forces’ fleet to the full 500 units acquired in two phases.
Valued at about €334 million, the package includes the vehicles, weapon systems, communications and surveillance equipment, training, tools and spare parts, with around 5% of the funding provided through U.S. support programmes.
The live-fire training zone of the Selonia (''Sēlija'') Military Training Area has been inaugurated
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On 20 February, a new live-fire training zone was opened at the "Sēlija" military training area, marking an important step in strengthening Latvia’s defense infrastructure.
The first development phase created basic operational capabilities, including logistics facilities, shooting ranges and ammunition storage, at a cost of about €36.5 million.
The site will improve training for Latvian and NATO forces, allow exercises with live ammunition and support drone testing. It is already used for various military activities.
Further development from 2026 to 2029 aims to reach full operational capacity and enable large-scale, brigade-level training, reinforcing Latvia’s long-term national defense strategy.
Estonia plans 600 eastern border bunkers as Baltic Defense Line advances
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Estonia has begun installing up to 600 concrete bunkers along its eastern land border as part of the joint Baltic Defence Line with Latvia and Lithuania, aimed at strengthening deterrence along NATO’s northeastern flank.
The project, coordinated by the Estonian Centre for Defence Investments, is valued at around €60 million. Initial bunker elements have already been delivered, with several installed in southeastern Estonia.
The Baltic Defence Line is scheduled for completion by the end of 2027 and is intended to halt or delay potential military aggression directly at the eastern borders of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.
DAIMEX Baltic defense conference set for Vilnius in May
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On 23 February it was announced that the Baltic states will host the DAIMEX Baltic 2026 defense and aerospace industry meeting and exposition in Vilnius this May, with live demonstrations planned at the General Silvestras Žukauskas training area in Pabradė.
The event will focus on regional security, NATO planning and procurement, defense capability development, and long-term industrial investment.
Defense ministers from Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia, alongside NATO, EU, and industry representatives, are expected to participate.
Live demonstrations will feature mobility, reconnaissance, drone and counter-drone systems, communications, sensors, and force protection technologies, aiming to strengthen regional industrial cooperation.
SDMMS digital platform project for military mobility
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Under the European Defence Fund (EDF) 2026 call "Secure Digital Military Mobility System", the SDMMS project aims to develop a secure digital platform enabling rapid cross-border movement of armed forces across the EU and associated countries.
With a budget of €9 million, the project advances earlier prototypes toward an operational system ready for crisis and wartime conditions.
The platform will digitalise military movement permits and customs procedures, replacing paper-based documentation and enabling secure real-time information exchange between military authorities and national stakeholders.
Using post-quantum cryptography and a federated architecture, the system will ensure secure communications, interoperability with national systems, and continued operation even in degraded network conditions.
By modernising military mobility processes and strengthening coordination across Member States, the project supports the EU Military Mobility Action Plan 2.0 and enhances Europe’s defence readiness and resilience.
