On June 16, 2026, Latvian Defence Minister Raivis Melnis stated in an interview on Latvian Television's 'Morning Panorama' that Latvia will shoot down drones entering its airspace. While acknowledging the high costs of using fighter jets, Melnis emphasized that citizen lives cannot be measured in money, and thus all means will be used to counter drones. The ministry is testing cheap and effective anti-drone systems, aiming to deploy them along Latvia's borders. Latvia is cooperating with Ukraine to gain experience and acquire battle-tested drone defense technologies not yet produced domestically. Melnis highlighted his priorities: learning from Ukraine, strengthening airspace and the eastern border, and integrating Latvia’s defence industry into the National Armed Forces.

On June 16, 2026, Latvian Defence Minister Raivis Melnis stated in an interview on Latvian Television's 'Morning Panorama' that Latvia will shoot down drones entering its airspace. While acknowledging the high costs of using fighter jets, Melnis emphasized that citizen lives cannot be measured in money, and thus all means will be used to counter drones. The ministry is testing cheap and effective anti-drone systems, aiming to deploy them along Latvia's borders. Latvia is cooperating with Ukraine to gain experience and acquire battle-tested drone defense technologies not yet produced domestically. Melnis highlighted his priorities: learning from Ukraine, strengthening airspace and the eastern border, and integrating Latvia’s defence industry into the National Armed Forces.