Elizabete Siliņa, Latvian Minister of Defense, recently met in Munich to discuss ongoing collaborations with foreign defense industry companies, specifically addressing unresolved issues related to the establishment of ammunition manufacturing plants in Latvia with the German defense company Rheinmetall. Siliņa noted that Rheinmetall is among the largest military industry producers globally, thus highlighting the importance of the discussions which also included various technical questions that arose from both sides regarding the potential project.

Furthermore, Siliņa also mentioned discussions with a Czech defense manufacturing company that is already collaborating with Latvia's armed forces. This Czech firm has shown a keen interest in deepening its partnership with Latvia, potentially in a more integrated manner, and has proposed investments in Latvia or even the establishment of operations within the country. Such offers are unprecedented and indicate a new potential for economic and defense collaboration that might strengthen Latvia's defense capabilities and industry.

Siliņa emphasized the necessity for Latvia to consider how to finance these initiatives and the strategic implications of such foreign investments and partnerships, suggesting that a thorough assessment is needed to determine Latvia's long-term goals and commitments in the defense sector. This development reflects Latvia's proactive approach to enhancing its national defense through international collaboration and investment.