Meeting with Representatives of the Danish Embassy: Opportunities for Defense Cooperation and Sector Challenges

The meeting with representatives of the Danish Embassy took place at the SAPRA office in Riga, with the participation of Captain Visti Salomonsen, Defence Attaché to the Baltic States, and Inese Leja Raphael, Senior Commercial Advisor to Latvia and Estonia. The discussion focused on opportunities for cooperation between Latvia and Denmark in the field of defense, with particular emphasis on technological development, the role of the public sector, and the potential for international partnerships.

Throughout the conversation, participants explored potential collaboration models between the armed forces of both countries, as well as broader developments influencing the regional security landscape. Special attention was given to the structure of Latvia’s defense industry — its core strengths, adaptability, and capacity for the development of modern technologies, including unmanned systems and cyber defense solutions.

A number of sector-specific challenges were also outlined, such as limited market scale, constrained public resources, and factors that may affect foreign investment. The discussion highlighted the need for a more flexible public procurement framework, predictable long-term funding mechanisms, and closer integration with international partners.

In addition, the dialogue touched on obstacles that may affect the participation of foreign companies in Latvia’s defense market — including regulatory complexity, lengthy decision-making processes, and the limited availability of state-backed guarantees for large-scale projects.

At the conclusion of the meeting, both sides emphasized the importance of maintaining a strategic dialogue and expressed openness to exploring practical joint initiatives in key areas of defense cooperation.