Latvian DM tells 'Post': Israeli weapons are top-notch, I support its right to self-defense

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.

Latvia currently faces a significant threat from drones spilling into its territory as a result of the Ukraine-Russia War.

Against the backdrop of the upcoming elections, with Latvia's general elections scheduled for October 3, 2026, the visit carries considerable weight; according to Israeli defense sources, Melnis has already said during the visit that Latvia is open not only to dialogue but also to action.

Latvia's key areas of interest were expected to be air defense and counter-drone systems.

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, a top system for shooting down drones, such as those used by Russia, though to date the country has relied on a collective European security air defense architecture.

Another set of systems Latvia is exploring are anti-ballistic missile systems, where it is looking at a "wide spectrum" of options.

There have been reports that Israeli systems besides the Arrow can shoot down certain kinds of ballistic missiles, and those systems are much cheaper than the Arrow for smaller countries like Latvia.

He 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. Israeli systems are battle-proven, 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," he noted.

Asked if moving fast meant three to five years, since many defense systems can even take 10 years 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 met with Israeli officials to obtain cyber-AI defense products to cope with the increasingly threatening cyber-AI attack posture facing the world.

According to Melnis, obtaining such AI defense 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."

He mainly focused on discussing the purchase of "loitering munitions [kamikaze drones], artillery, and radar systems." He said some Israeli products in this area are unmatched elsewhere.

Further, he 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 the defense arena went back decades, beyond even the intense last three years.

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."

"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," he added.

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," adding 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 took office in May 2026, following the resignation of his predecessor generally presumed to be related to drone incursions into Latvian territory.

His 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 including Rafael's Spike missiles, worth around 200 million euros, Elbit's UT30 turret system,t and several contracts reportedly worth more than 600,000 euros to buy Cellebrite’s phone-hacking equipment and software.