Latvia Flag for Latvia

Country Spotlight

Forcibly incorporated into the Soviet Union in 1940, Latvia regained its independence in 1991 when the Soviet Union collapsed. Riga has since joined NATO and the European Union, and is a member of relevant nonproliferation organizations and regimes. Latvia does not possess or produce nuclear, chemical, or biological weapons.

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Region   Former Soviet Union

1961 The Salaspils Research Reactor (SRR) became operational

14.4 kg Highly enriched uranium transferred to Russia in 2008

2017 Withdrew from a joint plan with Estonia and Lithuania to construct a nuclear power plant

Nuclear

  • No nuclear weapons pursuit or possession since 1991 independence; free of highly enriched uranium (HEU) since 2008
  • Ministry of Climate and Energy announced in 2024 that Latvia will consider developing nuclear energy to decrease dependence on other countries for electricity
  • Announced in 2022 a partnership with the U.S. under the Foundational Infrastructure for Responsible Use of Small Modular Reactor Technology (FIRST) program for nuclear energy cooperation

Biological

  • No biological weapons possession or development since 1991 independence
  • Member of the Australia Group
  • Adheres to the set EU regulations for biosafety and biosecurity
  • Has submitted BWC Confidence Building Measure reports yearly since 2002

Missile

  • Does not field ballistic missiles, but purchased U.S. Naval Strike Missile anti-ship cruise missiles in 2024 due to regional threats
  • Soviet-era missile production facilities decommissioned
  • Not a member of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), but abides by its guidelines
  • On 31 March 2025, Latvia signed a framework agreement with Saab for the short-range ground-based air defense system RBS 70 NG, which will be delivered from 2026-2030

Chemical

  • Has never possessed or sought to develop chemical weapons
  • Member of the Australia Group
  • Has maintained an export control system since 1995

Treaties and Regimes Memberships

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NPT

The NPT is a treaty aimed at limiting the spread of nuclear weapons through the three pillars of non-proliferation, disarmament, and peaceful use of nuclear energy.

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Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT)

The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty bans all nuclear explosion tests on Earth. It needs eight key countries to ratify before entry into force.

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Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC)

The Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) requires countries to destroy all chemical weapons and prohibits developing, stockpiling, or using chemical weapons.

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Biological Weapons Convention (BWC)

The BTWC mandates the elimination of existing biological weapons and prohibits developing, stockpiling, or using biological and toxin weapons.

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