On the 30th July 2024 Security and defence industry companies have established the competence centre "DefInno" and it is registered in the Register of Enterprises. Its founders are the Federation of Security and Defence Industries of Latvia (FSDI Latvia), SIA Armgate, SIA Belss, SIA Energolukss, SIA DATI Group, SIA Pelegrin, SIA TETERS and SIA VIZULO.

The goal of SIA "DefInno" as an innovation cluster is to increase the competitiveness of enterprises working in the security and defence sectors, as well as cooperation between enterprises and educational and research institutions in the development of new products, services and technologies in accordance with the priorities set at the level of the national, European Union and North Atlantic Treaty Organization for internal and external security. Private and publicly available funding will be attracted to this.

Elīna Egle, Member of the Board of SIA "DefInno" and Chairman of the Board of FSDI Latvia: "The initially identified R&D directions are intended for investments in the development of new digital technologies and products in the field of defence and security in cooperation with FSDI Latvia members in Latvia and abroad. Given the potential for growth, work will focus on areas such as cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, digital tools, VR/AR and autonomous systems. Products and technologies for the digitisation of defence and security industry production, including infrastructure and energy efficiency development, sustainable mobility and transport solutions, will be developed together.''

The main task of SIA "DefInno" will be to become a platform where, by exchanging information during the implementation of projects, new research and innovation projects arise. It provides for cooperation with similar organizations in Latvia and abroad, EU institutions and NATO agencies, centres of excellence and non-governmental organizations in order to promote new opportunities for the development of interdisciplinary and international projects. Cooperation opportunities will be found by implementing targeted measures, networking activities, as well as by attracting representatives of other sectoral organizations for the evaluation of announced cross-sectoral or international projects.

The vector of development of defence and internal security enterprises and the high demand of industries are determined by a number of policy planning documents and regulatory enactments at the national, EU and NATO level. For example, the National Security Concept and the National Defence Concept, as well as the NAF Development Plan for 2025-2036, the Guidelines for the involvement of the defence and security industry in strengthening defence capabilities and the Defence Industry Law; The EU's European Commission's Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space, 'European Defence Industry Strategy' and 'European Defence Industry Programme' and NATO's 2022 'Strategic Concept', as well as vilnius (2023) and Washington (2024) decisions on defence industry development.

About the founders:

• FSDI Latvia is the only organisation representing the security and defence industries and research at the national and international level. The FSDI Latvia brings together 125 companies, educational and research institutions, as well as associate members - such prominent foreign military manufacturers as General Dynamics European Land Systems Santa Barbara Sistemas (Spain), RAFAEL ADVANCED DEFENSE SYSTEMS and Israel Aerospace Industries (Israel), Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land (UK), KONGSBERG (Norway), Lockheed Martin Corporation (US), MBDA France (France), Thales Polska (Poland), SAAB (Sweden), EuroSpike (Germany) and others.
  

  The turnover of Latvian companies in 2023 was EUR 1.66 billion, while exports amounted to EUR 347.6 million. FSDI Latvia actively cooperates at the national level with the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Economics, the Ministry of Education and Science, the Ministry of Smart Administration and Regional Development and the Saeima of the Republic of Latvia. Internationally, the FSDI Latvia represents Latvian industry in the NATO Industry Advisory Group and is part of the work of the Science and Technology Organization. At European level, consultations are held with the European Commission's Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space and the European Defence Agency, as well as bilateral cooperation with relevant organisations abroad.

• Armgate is one of the leading suppliers of safety, laboratory equipment and scientific equipment in Latvia, founded in 1994. The company offers security control and analytical equipment to public and private sector customers. The company specializes in the integration of high-tech safety and laboratory equipment, as well as the development of innovative products in the field of safety and medicine.
• Belss is the leading defence communications integrator in the Baltic region, offering innovative solutions since 1994. The company specializes in the design and implementation of various military and civilian communication networks, and also provides a wide range of military and civilian equipment.
• DATI Group is one of the leading IT infrastructure companies in Latvia, offering solutions in the field of cloud technologies, system integration, IT security and analytics. The company is active in both domestic and international research and development projects.
• Energolukss is the leading company in the Baltics, specializing in the supply, maintenance and repair of uninterrupted and backup power supply solutions. Founded in 1997, the company offers a full service that includes power generators, uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), solar power solutions, and electric car charging equipment.
• Pelegrin is an innovative company specializing in smart energy and mobility solutions, specifically developing ultralight hybrid aircraft for military and civilian use.
• Teters is a Latvian engineering capabilities company specializing in the development, production and delivery of military and dual-use products to law enforcement agencies, military and government agencies. The company is known for its innovative products, training and service.
• Vizulo has been involved in several research projects to improve its competitiveness and develop new energy-efficient lighting technologies. Vizulo continues to expand its activities, developing new solutions for both municipalities and entrepreneurs to provide safer and more environmentally friendly lighting.
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Contacts: for further communication, please use e-mail: info (att) definno.lv.