Latvia Faces 'Absurd Situation' in Drone Defense Over Missing Ammunition

Latvia is grappling with what has been described as an "absurd situation" concerning its drone defense capabilities, with reports indicating that crucial ammunition was not procured for recently acquired defense systems. The issue came to light when A. Kulbergs responded to questions about drone incidents and the performance of former Defense Minister Andris Sprūds.

Kulbergs stated that while the equipment was purchased, the necessary ammunition was overlooked. He confirmed such a situation existed but declined to name specific purchases, systems, or the institution responsible for the oversight, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation. Details about drone incidents and defensive capacities cannot be fully disclosed at this time, he added.

Despite Latvia's ambition to be recognized as a "drone state," Kulbergs asserted that the country currently lacks the foundation to support this claim. He revealed that a joint system is being developed to coordinate the actions of the State Border Guard Service and the Ministry of Defense. This system aims to control airspace and neutralize drone threats using anti-drone measures, rather than costly missiles, drawing on experiences from Ukraine.

Andris Sprūds served as defense minister from September 2023 to May 2026. Kulbergs did not confirm whether the current situation is linked to procurement initiatives led by Sprūds. The article highlights a significant gap in Latvia's defense readiness, where advanced systems may be rendered ineffective due to a lack of basic ammunition.