The announcement from the US Defense Department’s Office of Defense Cooperation and Security confirms that the US Department of State has granted approval for Latvia to explore the purchase of a coastal defense system equipped with NSM Coastal Defense System anti-ship missiles, at a price of 110 million dollars. This approval fits within the broader framework of arms and military equipment sales to allied and partner nations and marks a potential enhancement of Latvia’s maritime defense capabilities. The transaction, if realized, would include the coastal defense complex along with the anti-ship missiles and related support components as part of a comprehensive security package. [CITATION: DoD release / official U.S. government confirmation]
Officials noted that the sale is being advanced as part of ongoing state-to-state military equipment trade, with Latvia positioned to acquire the coastal defense system and its associated gear for approximately 110 million dollars. The arrangement underscores a strategic approach to strengthening allied coastlines and deterrence in regional waters, accompanied by the necessary logistics, training, and documentation required to support deployment. While the primary contractor has not yet been fixed and no price equalization agreement has been discussed for this potential deal, the framework for a multi-faceted defense package remains in scope. [CITATION: DoD/State Department statements]
Earlier updates from the US Defense Cooperation Agency noted another defense transaction where the United Kingdom could receive 768 APKWS-II guided missiles, reflecting ongoing collaboration on precision-guided munitions among allied nations. The broader package associated with that proposal includes the missiles themselves along with required equipment, spare parts, documentation, and shipping costs, which are estimated at 31.2 million dollars. This context illustrates how bilateral security agreements sometimes unfold in stages, balancing strategic goals with logistics and financial considerations. [CITATION: DoD update on APKWS-II sale to the UK]