BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 20. On August 20, 2025, Latvia’s Minister of Defense Andris Sprūds met with US Congressman Andrew Harris to discuss regional security, NATO unity, and Latvia’s continued strengthening of its defense capabilities, Trend reports.
“The United States is our strategic partner and a reliable ally. I greatly value US support, including that of Congress, for security in our region. This unity sends an important signal both to our society and to those who might wish to endanger peace in Europe,” Minister Sprūds stressed.
Congressman Harris expressed strong support for NATO and the Baltic states on behalf of the US Congress. He highlighted the important role of Latvia and Poland as early examples among allies in purposefully increasing defense spending. Harris welcomed Latvia’s move toward allocating 5 percent of its GDP to defense, noting that it sends a significant signal of Latvia’s commitment to collective security.
The US Congressman also underlined that Russia must be cautious with provocations, as NATO remains united and ready to defend its member states.
Minister Sprūds expressed gratitude to the United States for its
enduring and robust military footprint in Latvia, underscoring that
Washington serves as a pivotal ally in fortifying Latvia’s defense
architecture and in bolstering deterrence and security along NATO’s
eastern perimeter. He also emphasized the recent operational
demonstration of the US Air Force’s B-1B Lancer bomber flyover
conducted yesterday, accentuating the strategic posture and forward
deployment of American assets in the Baltic theater.
Strategic alignment in defense initiatives with the United States
continues to be a paramount bilateral focus for Latvia. Since 2014,
US military assets have been strategically positioned in the Baltic
states on a rotational framework as part of the “Atlantic Resolve”
initiative, underscoring America’s sustained engagement in NATO’s
collective defense architecture and its unwavering dedication to
fostering peace and stability in the Baltic theater and Poland.
In recent years, the strategic partnership between Latvia and the
United States has undergone significant enhancement, encompassing
substantial defense acquisitions and collaborative military
initiatives. In December 2023, Latvia and the United States
formalized a $105 million procurement agreement for the acquisition
of Naval Strike Missile coastal defense systems, engineered by
Raytheon in collaboration with Norway’s Kongsberg. Latvia has
formalized a procurement agreement with the US government for the
acquisition of six HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems)
from Lockheed Martin, with delivery anticipated to commence in
2027.
The United States continues to serve as a pivotal strategic ally
and partner to Latvia, significantly contributing to the
enhancement of Latvia's security architecture. The bilateral
engagement between the two sovereign entities is anchored in a
confluence of aligned principles and a mutual dedication to
democratic governance.
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