Israeli weapons are top-notch, and it has the right to self-defense, Latvian Defense Minister Raivis Melnis told The Jerusalem Post in an exclusive interview on Thursday.
Due to the Russia-Ukraine war, Latvia currently faces the threat of drones spilling into its territory.
This visit, against the backdrop of the upcoming elections in both Israel and Latvia, carries considerable weight. According to Israeli defense sources, Melnis stated during the visit that Latvia is open not only to dialogue, but also to action.
During the visit, Melnis met with Defense Minister Israel Katz, Director-General Amir Baram, and top Israeli defense industry companies such as Rafael, Elbit, and Israel Aerospace Industries.
Melnis told the Post that Latvia is looking into “loitering systems and air defense systems” among other defense products.
Latvia looks to buy Iron Dome system
One system Latvia is exploring is Iron Dome, which is effective against drones and could be used to defend against drones from Russia. Meanwhile, Latvia has opted for a mutual, collective European air defense structure.
Latvia is also exploring the possibility of implementing anti-ballistic missile systems.
There have been reports that Israeli systems, other than the Arrow, can shoot down certain kinds of ballistic missiles – and that they’re cheaper than the Arrow. If it exists, this affordable alternative may appeal to smaller countries like Latvia.
Melnis said they had “initiated those discussions, but we need to move fast. There is strong intent, and it would be very positive to get certain” air defense systems.
“We hope we will get these systems soon,” he noted. “Israeli systems are battle-proven. [They are] very high-end systems that have shown reliability during three years of war. Israeli companies provide systems for defending Israel, but also have the capacity to produce for different foreign partners. Israel has developed a really strong military industry.”
Melnis was asked if “moving fast” meant three to five years, which is markedly shorter than the 10 years most defense systems take to develop. He responded: “I hope it will take much less time than three years from the decision to the delivery. I hope for a much shorter time.”
Next, he was asked whether he’d met with Israeli officials to obtain cyberdefense products, as cyberattacks are worsening worldwide. According to Melnis, obtaining cyberdefense products was not on the list of goals for this specific visit, “but our experts are looking at different additional new technologies to improve cyber capabilities.”
Melnis focused on discussing purchases of “loitering munitions [kamikaze drones], artillery, and radar systems.” He said that some of Israel’s products have yet to be matched. Because of this, Melnis said he would send additional Latvian military experts to learn more.
Moreover, he said he wanted to “learn from Israel’s experience about how to protect borders, including from drones, missiles, proxy forces, and in cyberspace.”
He affirmed that “Israeli advice and guidance, based on its battle experience, was very unique.”
Melnis said he told Katz that the only two countries that have wide-ranging battlefield experience are Israel and Ukraine. He added that Israel’s experience in this arena went back decades, beyond the last three years of war.
In addition, Melnis said the visit has “a political perspective. Our president and other officials have visited Israel. This deepens our political cooperation. We strongly support Israel’s right to self-defense.”
He added: “We condemn Iranian attacks on Israel and support Israel’s defense of its country and its people. Iran is an enemy not just for Israel, but also for the region, and for our friends in Ukraine, where Iran is supporting Russia.”
Despite the NAZA film harming Israel’s reputation across the globe, Melnis said that he wanted to “show solidarity – it is an honor to be here.” He noted that he has not yet seen the film.
While the EU is boycotting Israel’s settlements, Latvia wants to expand economic cooperation and friendship with Israel. Melnis’s visit follows two previous visits to Israel by the head of Latvia’s Procurement Department.
In recent years, according to foreign sources, Latvia has purchased Israeli arms and cyberware in several deals. These include Rafael’s Spike missiles, worth around 200 million euros; Elbit’s UT30 turret system; and several contracts reportedly worth more than 600,000 euros, intended to buy Cellebrite’s phone-hacking equipment and software.
