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.

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

Tutorial on Nuclear 101

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Tutorial on Nuclear 101

Tutorial on Nuclear and Radiological Security

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Tutorial on Nuclear and Radiological Security

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

Tutorial on Biological Weapons Nonproliferation

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Tutorial on Biological Weapons Nonproliferation

Latvia Overview

Fact Sheet

Latvia Overview

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

Tutorial on Missiles and Other WMD Delivery Systems

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Tutorial on Missiles and Other WMD Delivery Systems

Tutorial on Nuclear Testing

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Tutorial on Nuclear Testing

Chemical

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

Tutorial on Chemical Weapons Nonproliferation

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Tutorial on Chemical Weapons Nonproliferation

NTI Tutorials

Interactive & Visualization

NTI Tutorials

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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