Latvia’s Trade Mission to Germany: Dual-Use Technologies at the Core of Strategic Dialogue in Hamburg

Latvia has launched its largest trade mission to Germany, bringing together more than 180 representatives from businesses, research institutions, and public organizations. The programme, coordinated by the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA) in cooperation with German partners, reflects a clear strategic objective: to position Latvia as a competitive and innovative force within Europe’s technological and industrial landscape.

One of the focal points of the mission was the Sector-Specific Programme V: Dual-Use Technologies, held in Hamburg. The city has in recent years established itself as a dynamic centre of dual-use innovation, bridging the civil and defense sectors. With strong clusters in cybersecurity, maritime surveillance, aerospace, and sensor integration, Hamburg’s ecosystem benefits from the presence of internationally recognized institutions such as DLR, Fraunhofer CML, and the Helmut-Schmidt-University. These institutions, together with industry partners, have generated an environment that sustains more than 150 startups and spin-offs linked to NATO-related research facilities.

Within this framework, the Latvia–Hamburg Security, Defense & Dual-Use Technologies Exchange gathered leading Latvian and German companies to present their solutions and explore cooperation. Baltic Photonics presented its expertise in optical and night vision technologies, as well as its development plans for a new manufacturing facility and international R&D centre in Latvia. The company exemplifies a new generation of Latvian high-tech enterprises contributing not only to the national industrial base, but also to Europe’s strategic resilience and technological independence.

The programme underscored that innovation in dual-use technologies is no longer confined to individual national efforts. It has become a European priority, requiring coordinated research, shared industrial capacity, and joint investment. Latvia’s participation, with companies such as Baltic Photonics at the forefront, demonstrates how even relatively small countries can achieve visibility and influence in strategically important sectors by combining scientific expertise, industrial capability, and international partnerships.

Hamburg offered a fitting setting for this dialogue: a city where historic strengths in trade and maritime industries intersect with new clusters in aerospace, defense, and digital innovation. The programme confirmed that cooperation between Latvia and Germany has the potential to generate tangible outcomes - from joint R&D projects to industrial investment and technology transfer.

By placing dual-use technologies at the centre of its mission, Latvia emphasized its determination to be more than a participant in Europe’s defense and security innovation landscape. It is positioning itself as a partner capable of shaping the agenda, delivering advanced solutions, and contributing to Europe’s long-term resilience.