In the Spirit of Easter – Strengthening Latvia’s Defense Through Industry Collaboration

In the spirit of Easter, the MN TECH team had the honor of participating in a high-level industry meeting organized by the Association of Military Technologies, Drones, and Robotics. The event brought together key stakeholders from the defense industry, government, and military leadership to discuss the development of Latvia’s defense capabilities and the active involvement of local industry in strengthening collective security.

A meaningful discussion took place with the Commander of the National Armed Forces, Major General Kaspars Pudāns, focusing on Latvia’s strategic defense direction, the necessary development initiatives, and the role of industry in contributing to the capabilities of both NATO and the Latvian Armed Forces.

MN TECH emphasized the importance of designing, developing, and producing maritime drones as a priority technological direction with strong potential to enhance national operational capacity in the Baltic Sea region. We believe this area is of strategic importance and requires focused development in cooperation with public institutions and other industry stakeholders.

We are sincerely grateful to Artis Pabriks, a long-time supporter of the defense sector, for his commitment to strengthening the industry and shaping a forward-looking vision.

We also extend our thanks to Kaspars Polaks, Head of LMT Defence, for the warm hospitality and support in providing the space and setting for meaningful dialogue between industry and military representatives.

Meetings like these confirm that only through close cooperation between developers, businesses, and national security institutions can we build a strong, modern defense system. MN TECH is committed to advancing and delivering innovative solutions rooted in local expertise, bold thinking, and a clear vision for the future.

MN TECH – Technologies that protect.

Industry Day 2025

10.04 MN TECH representatives participated in the Industry Day 2025 organised by the Ministry of the Interior, which focused on security issues, technology opportunities and solutions for the future.
Discussions with industry professionals and representatives of national security authorities highlighted key issues: crisis preparedness, effective use of personnel, technology integration and changing forms of cooperation. There was a strong focus on how to make the most of existing resources and develop solutions for future challenges.
We also had the opportunity to learn about security solutions and technologies developed in Latvia - innovations that demonstrate Latvia's potential to be a leader not only locally, but also internationally.
Thank you to the organisers and all participants for the valuable conversations and contacts! Safety is our shared responsibility.

Baltic Security Conference 2025

This week, I participated in the Baltic Security Conference 2025, which brought together Baltic and international security and defense professionals under one roof.

It was truly valuable to meet like-minded people, hear success stories, and share ideas about the region’s security development. Events like this are inspiring and open up new collaboration opportunities!

Many thanks to the organizers for their professional approach and the high standard of the event.

More about the conference: https://balticsecurityconference.lv/en/

XPONENTIAL 2024, San Diego, USA

In April 2024, I participated in one of the world’s leading events in the field of unmanned and autonomous systems – XPONENTIAL 2024, held in San Diego, USA.

The event was attended by a broad Latvian delegation, representing the defense, technology, and innovation sectors. It was a great opportunity to strengthen Latvia’s visibility on the international stage and foster collaboration with some of the world’s leading technology companies.

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the U.S. Embassy in Latvia for the invitation and support, which made it possible to be part of this important event.

Meeting with RAFAEL Representatives at AUSA 2024 (Washington, DC, USA)

During the AUSA 2024 exhibition, we had a productive meeting with representatives from the Israeli defense manufacturer RAFAEL Advanced Defense Systems.

RAFAEL is one of Israel’s leading defense companies, with extensive experience in the development of innovative military technologies. The company specializes in high-precision weapon systems, intelligence, surveillance, and communication solutions, as well as active protection systems.

During the meeting, we discussed potential collaboration opportunities and the integration of RAFAEL products. Particular attention was paid to the possibility of integrating the SPIKE precision missile system into our USVs (unmanned ground vehicles).

We look forward to future cooperation and joint solutions in the field of defense!

Participation in the AUSA 2024 Exhibition in Washington

From October 14 to 16, 2024, I took part in the AUSA 2024 exhibition organized by the Association of the United States Army (AUSA)in Washington, D.C. The exhibition offered an excellent opportunity to meet defense industry experts and company representatives from around the world to discuss the latest innovations, technologies, and collaboration opportunities in the military sector.

AUSA 2024 featured various conferences and presentations that provided insights into contemporary defense challenges and future development trends. Participating in an event of this scale is an important step toward strengthening the company’s visibility and gaining the latest technological solutions.

EURONAVAL 2024

Euronaval 2024, the world’s leading naval defense exhibition, took place from November 4 to 7, 2024, in Paris, France. This event brought together more than 450 exhibitors from over 30 countries, providing a platform to showcase the latest technologies and innovations in the naval defense sector.

Key events and presentations:

• French Navy’s new "Patrouilleur Hauturier" (PH) project: The exhibition featured the new offshore patrol vessel design for the French Navy. Construction began in 2024 to replace outdated patrol vessels and enhance the French Navy’s capabilities.

• KNDS France artillery systems: KNDS France presented its modern naval artillery systems, which generated significant interest among exhibition visitors.

• SEAir unmanned surface vessels: French company SEAir unveiled a new design for unmanned surface vessels (USVs) with hydrofoils to improve the efficiency of naval operations.

• Gabler underwater solutions: German company Gabler showcased new underwater communication and surveillance systems aimed at enhancing the safety and efficiency of underwater operations.

• Ēriks Pūle at Euronaval 2024: Ēriks Pūle held several important meetings with leading industry companies such as Hensoldt, SEA.AI, Tualcom, Kenbi, ASFAT, and others, discussing potential collaboration and the integration of their products into our systems.

• Hensoldt – A German company specializing in defense and security sensor technology. The meeting focused on integrating radar, electro-optical, and electronic warfare systems.

• SEA.AI – A leading developer of artificial intelligence and autonomous systems for the maritime sector. Discussions centered on enhanced visual recognition systems to strengthen security and situational awareness at sea.

• Tualcom – A Turkish company offering satcom, GNSS interference protection, and data transmission solutions. Talks included high-precision GNSS protection and communication solutions potentially integrated into our technologies.

• Kenbi – An innovative company focusing on robotics and unmanned systems development. The discussion covered possible collaboration on unmanned platform development for military and security tasks.

• ASFAT – A Turkish state-owned defense industry company that provides shipbuilding, defense systems, and military technology solutions. Potential cooperation on ship electronics and defense solutions was explored.

These meetings mark a significant step forward for the company, reviewing the latest innovations in sensor technology, unmanned systems, security solutions, and military electronics. Our goal is to expand our technological capabilities and deliver top-tier solutions to our clients.

Stay tuned for more updates on upcoming collaborations and innovations!

LATVIAN–US DEFENSE DRONE TECHNOLOGY SYMPOSIUM

On October 16, 2024, the Embassy of Latvia in the United States, in cooperation with the American Chamber of Commerce in Latvia, the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA), and SIA "Latvijas Mobilais Telefons" (LMT), organized a Latvian–US Defense Drone Technology Symposium. The event took place in Washington, D.C., aiming to foster international cooperation in the defense sector, particularly in the development of drone technologies.

Key topics at the symposium:

• Investment opportunities in Latvia: Discussions on the advantages and possibilities of investing in Latvia’s defense technology sector.
  
• Political perspective and drone initiatives in Ukraine: Talks on the significance and application of drone technologies in Ukraine, as well as related political aspects.
  
• Latvia’s expertise in drone technology innovations: Latvian companies and researchers shared their experience and achievements in drone technology research and development.
  

In addition to the main sessions, a special morning session for Latvian entrepreneurs provided insights and guidelines on collaborating with the US Department of Defense.

EUROSATORY 2024

From June 17 to 21, 2024, we participated in Eurosatory 2024 – one of the world’s leading defense and security exhibitions, held in Paris, France. This major event brought together thousands of industry professionals, innovators, and strategic decision-makers.

Ēriks Pūle took an active part in discussions, forged new contacts, and explored the latest technological trends. Special attention was paid to USV (Unmanned Surface Vehicles) and UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) solutions to enhance and improve our offerings.

Main benefits of attending Eurosatory 2024:

• New collaboration partners and business contacts
• The latest innovations in unmanned systems and military technologies
• Strategic solutions to offer state-of-the-art products to our clients

Eurosatory 2024 provided a great opportunity to broaden our horizons, strengthen our presence in the international market, and familiarize ourselves with upcoming trends in the industry.