On April 24, 2026, the forum “Dual-use Technologies for Business and Defense – Drones as the Foundation of the Future Economy and Defense,” which was also attended by EDI representatives Juris Siņica-Siņavskis and Egils Bēriņš.
Several Latvian companies gave presentations, including LMT and Latvijas Meži. Significant emphasis was also placed on analyzing the potential applications of drones in civilian sectors—infrastructure maintenance, forestry, agriculture, energy, and education. Industry leaders, including representatives from AS “Sadales tīkls,” AS “Latvijas valsts meži,” LMT, SIA “Perkons Energy,” “LV-TECH,” and “NEWT21,” shared their practical experience in their presentations. Participants had the opportunity to discuss and view various solutions provided by company “RAW Tech” on-site.
The event focused on analyzing the potential of drones and unmanned systems in economic development, innovation, and exports, as well as in strengthening national security and defense capabilities. The aim of the event was to promote closer cooperation between technology companies, educational institutions, engineers, and representatives of the defense sector, thereby developing a unified drone technology ecosystem in Latvia.
The second part of the forum was devoted to the role of drones in defense, with a particular focus on dual-use technologies. It featured military experts, drone manufacturers, and organizations involved in supporting Ukraine, providing practical insights into the use of drones in real-world operational situations. A Ukrainian company that manufactures modern drones also spoke, as did representatives from the Ternopil Professional Military College, who explained the challenges typically faced by drone operator training instructors in frontline conditions. The head of the military college provided valuable advice, emphasizing activities that could significantly impact the quality of drone operator training in Latvia.
