Introduction

In recent years military and security ties between Israel and Latvia have grown closer. Latvia purchased Israeli arms and cyberware in several deals including Spike missiles in two deals worth together approximately €200 million, UT30 turret system by Elbit and several contracts worth more than €600,000 to buy Cellebrite’s phone-hacking equipment and software.

Israel-Latvia Relations

Diplomatic relations between Israel and Latvia were established in January 1992, shortly after Latvia gained independence. Since 1993, several bilateral agreements have been signed between the two countries including economic cooperation, tourism, education, science, combating terrorism, defense industrial cooperation and more.^[1]Embassy of Israel in Latvia, Bilateral Relations, 16.2.2024

In June 2023 the Israel Innovation Authority signed a cooperation agreement with the Investment and Development Authority of Latvia.^[2]Israel Hayom, Latvia looks toward business cooperation after signing agreement with Israel, 24.07.2023

In the summer of 2025, the two countries stated their wish to deepen the bilateral ties and especially to promote cooperation in trade, investment, defense tech, renewable energy, and advanced manufacturing.^[3]DHA Press, Latvia eyes deeper economic ties with Israel in high-tech sectors (Exclusive), 15.08.2025^[4]Embassy of the Republic of Latvia to the State of Israel, Baiba Braže: the visit of the Israeli Foreign Minister to the Baltic countries is a testament to the significance of the relations between … Continue reading^[5]The Baltic Times, Israel wishes to intensify relations with Latvia – Israeli FM, 09.07.2025

Military Relations

In 2002 the Latvian government showed interest in buying border protection systems from Rafael and collaborating with Israeli defense industries.^[6]Globes, Eurosatory: Latvia examines Rafael border protection system, 20.06.2002

In 2005 the Latvian State Secretary at the Ministry of Defense Edgars Rinkevics visited Israel. During his visit Israel and Latvia signed an MOU to cooperate in defense industries. Rinkevics also toured factories of Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), Elbit Systems, Rafael and other companies.^[7]Globes, Israel and Latvia to cooperate in defense industries, 28.02.2005^[8]Likumi, Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Republic of Latvia and the government of the State of Israel Regarding Defence Industrial Cooperation, 16.02.2005 A follow-up agreement was signed between the countries on March 2006 regarding mutual protection of classified information in the field of defense and military cooperation.^[9]Likumi, Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Latvia and the government of the State of Israel Regarding Mutual Protection of Classified Information in the Field of Defense and Military … Continue reading

On March 2017, Latvia’s Minister of Defense Raimonds Bergmanis visited Israel and met with Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman. They discussed cooperation between Latvia and Israel in the fields of military industries and cybersecurity.^[10]NRA, Latvija un Izraēla vēlas sadarboties aizsardzības jomā, 07.03.2017

Spike missiles: The first published major Latvian purchase of Israeli arms was in 2018, when Latvia first procured Spike anti-tank missiles worth €108 million. The Spike system is manufactured by Israeli state-owned company Rafael, but the purchase was made via its joint venture company EuroSpike. The Spike systems were integrated into the CVR(T) fighting vehicles acquired from the United Kingdom.^[11]LSM, Latvia to buy ‘Spike’ anti-tank missiles from Israel’s Rafael, 12.02.2018^[12]Israel Defense, Latvia to Purchase Spike Missiles from Rafael, 11.02.2018

In August 2020, a Team Trainer for Spike LR2 and SR missiles was installed for the Latvian army by teams from Rafael and EuroSpike.^[13]Israel Defense, Latvia installs new Spike missile training system, 09.10.2020

In 2022, Latvia hosted the 17th SPIKE Users’ Club. During the event the Latvian army launched several Spike missiles including Spike LR2 missiles were launched from a portable ground launcher, Spike SR shoulder launched fire-and-forget missiles and Spike Firefly loitering munition.^[14]Israel Defense, 17TH SPIKE user’s club meeting held in Latvia, 17.07.2022

Spike missiles are also used by Canadian troops stationed in Latvia. Spike missiles were purchased in 2024 by the Canadian federal government for US$32 million to be used in Latvia. A series of problems with launchers and ammunition had caused delays in delivery.^[15]Ottawa Citizen, More problems snag anti-tank missiles destined for Canadian troops in Latvia, 09.01.2026^[16]Ottawa Citizen, DND confirms malfunction of new anti-tank missiles heading to Latvia, 05.12.2024

In June 2025 Latvia signed another contract, worth €81 million, for Spike anti-tank missiles, again through EuroSpike. The contract included an undisclosed quantity of weapons, associated munitions, and support equipment, and required 30% involvement of local industry in its execution.^[17]The Defense Post, Latvia Orders Israeli Spike Missile Systems From Germany, 06.06.2025^[18]LSM, Latvia buys more ‘Spike’ anti-tank weapons, 03.06.2025^[19]Militarny, Latvia to Partially Localize Spike Anti-Tank Systems Under €81M Contract, 08.06.2025

In addition, in 2025 Latvia decided to purchase another Israeli weapon system. A €90 million contract was signed between Elbit Systems and General Dynamics European Land Systems (GDELS) on behalf of Latvia, who ordered 42 Ascod infantry fighting vehicles. Under the contract Elbit will supply UT30 MK2 turret system, which is equipped with gunner and commander sights as well as anti-tank guided missiles, Iron Fist active protection system and other countermeasures.^[20]Militar Aktuell, Elbit: GDELS order for Ascod tower systems for Latvia, 22.04.2025^[21]Elbit Systems, Elbit Systems Awarded Approximately $100 Million Contract for UT30 MK2 by GDELS to Equip a NATO European Country, 09.04.2025

In November 2025, Major General Andis Dilans from the Latvian Ministry of Defense participated at the UVID Dronetech 2025 conference in Tel Aviv.^[22]Israel Defense, Operational Lessons From the Baltic Front: Latvia Warns of Rapidly Evolving Drone Threats, 26.11.2025

Joint Drills:

Swift Response 2018: In 2018 Israel participated, alongside the United States, Italy, UK, Poland, Portugal and Spain, in Swift Response, a major ground exercise across Poland, Germany, Latvia, and Lithuania.^[23]Israel Defense, Israel Takes Part in US-led Exercises in Eastern Europe Pacific for the First Time, 13.06.2018^[24]LSM, 500 American and British paratroopers drop in, 09.06.2018

The 17th SPIKE Users’ Club held in Latvia in 2022:  The event included launching demonstrations, sharing practical knowledge and experience using SPIKE missiles, and tactical lessons learned from combat scenarios, through maintenance and live-fire trainings.^[25]Israel Defense, 17TH SPIKE user’s club meeting held in Latvia, 17.07.2022

Cyber

SuperCom: In December 2020, the Israeli company SuperCom signed a 5-year contract with Latvia’s Justice Ministry to supply its PureSecurity Electronic Monitoring (EM) suite, using the company’s RF House Arrest and GPS Tracking solutions.^[26]Israel Defense, SuperCom deploying security suite to help Latvia monitor offenders nationwide,06.12.2020

Cellebrite: Between 2022-2025 Latvia purchased Cellebrite’s products and licenses for more than €600,000.^[27]European Union Tenders Electronic Daily, 681547-2025 – Result^[28]European Union Tenders Electronic Daily, 743987-2025 – Result^[29]European Union Tenders Electronic Daily, 559267-2022 – Result^[30]European Union Tenders Electronic Daily, 694193-2022 – Result^[31]European Union Tenders Electronic Daily, 730669-2024 – Result^[32]European Union Tenders Electronic Daily, 520605-2025 – Result^[33]European Union Tenders Electronic Daily, 529590-2025 – Result

Pegasus: The Citizen Lab found evidence pointing to surveillance operations in Latvia conducted by NSO Group‘s Pegasus operators between 2016-2018.^[34]The Citizen Lab, HIDE AND SEEK: Tracking NSO Group’s Pegasus Spyware to Operations in 45 Countries, 18.09.2018 A later investigation from 2024, found that several Russian and Belarusian-speaking independent journalists and opposition activists based in Europe were targeted and/or infected with Pegasus. Among them were one Latvian journalist and two Russian journalists based in Riga, Latvia.^[35]The Citizen Lab, By Whose Authority? Pegasus Targeting of Russian & Belarusian-Speaking Opposition Activists and Independent Media in Europe, 30.05.2024 In both cases, the identity or nationality of the operators remained unclear.

Graphite by Paragon: In February 2025 WhatsApp reported that the app platform was used by the spyware Graphite, developed by Paragon, to hack smartphones of more than 90 journalists and activists from different countries. The case involved phone numbers with Latvian prefixes. Latvia was not a Paragon customer.^[36]Haaretz, Israeli Spyware Firm Paragon Cuts Italy’s Access After Journalists Targeted, 06.02.2025^[37]LSM, Spyware reportedly used against Latvian numbers through WhatsApp, 07.02.2025

Other Military connections and collaborations

Atlas Dynamic is a Latvian-Israeli company established in 2015 which manufactures unmanned aerial vehicles for military use and sells its products to NATO countries. While Atlas’ factory is in Riga, Latvia, it is referred to as an Latvian-Israeli company, because of its owner, Ivan Tolchinsky, dual citizenship, and other ties to Israel.^[38]Atlas UAS, About^[39]The Kyiv Independent, Latvian Atlas Dynamics supplies Ukrainian military with futuristic drones, plans to start production in Ukraine, 31.10.2022^[40]The Marker, The Jerusalem Connection: Israeli-Latvian Atlas company raises $8 million to develop professional drones, 19.09.2017

In September 2024, Troya, an Israeli electro-optic manufacturer, has joined SAPRA, the Latvia-based International Association of Defense Products Manufacturers. Tomer Snir, Troya’s CMO and Co-Founder, stated that “Troya’s membership in SAPRA highlights its commitment to supporting Latvia’s defense industry and contributing to its national security.”^[41]Israel Defense, Troya Joins SAPRA in Latvia to Boost Defense Solutions in European Markets, 18.09.2024

While the majority of the military trade between Israel and Latvia is the Israeli exports to Latvia, Latvia also exports arms to Israel. According to Action on Armed Violence, between 2014-2022, the value of export licenses from Latvia to Israel totaled €5.9 million from 11 licenses. €4.1 million worth of export licenses were made in 2022.^[42]Action on Armed Violence, Who is arming Israel? Other Global Exports to Israel, 12.04.2024