SAPRA - the International Association of Defence Product Manufacturers - participated in the latest meeting of the Defence Industry Advisory Council, held at the Ministry of Defence of Latvia under the chairmanship of Minister of Defence Raivis Melnis.
The meeting brought together representatives of government institutions and industry organisations to discuss current priorities for Latvia's defence sector and the continued development of the national defence industry.
Particular attention was given to strengthening cooperation between the defence industry and the National Armed Forces, supporting Ukraine through industrial collaboration, technology transfer and joint innovation initiatives, as well as creating new opportunities for cooperation with Ukrainian defence manufacturers.
Participants also reviewed upcoming funding opportunities under the European Defence Fund (EDF) and the European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP), which support international cooperation, research and innovation, supply chain resilience, and the development of European defence capabilities.
As a member of the Defence Industry Advisory Council, SAPRA values the opportunity to contribute to strategic dialogue between public institutions and industry. Strengthening cooperation, supporting innovation and enhancing the competitiveness of Latvia's defence sector remain essential for building a resilient national and European defence industrial base.