Latvia has entered into an agreement with the United States for the supply of the Naval Strike Missile (NSM) coastal defense system to the Latvian Navy, with a total value of $105 million, the country's defense ministry announced December 9th.
The U.S. will cover 70% of the cost, while Latvia will contribute the remaining 30%. Although the specific number of launchers and anti-ship missiles was not disclosed, the delivery is expected in 2027.
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Defense Express suggests that the U.S. may have offered Latvia a discount on the coastal anti-ship systems in exchange for Riga providing a certain amount of equipment and weapons to Ukraine, currently fighting off the russian invasion.
The assertion stems from the fact the White House and the Pentagon regularly provide this form of indirect support for their allies who contribute to Ukraine's defense. Slovakia, for example, got AH-1Z Viper helicopters for a favorable price this way, and supposedly Romania snatched a good deal on M1 Abrams tanks.
As for the amount of military aid Latvia provided to Ukraine, analysts of the Oryx OSINT website name a list consisting of six M109A5Ö self-propelled howitzers with spare parts, two Mi-2 and four Mi-8/17 helicopters, approximately up to 200 drones of various types, Stinger MANPADS, machine guns, bulletproof vests, and first aid kits for Ukrainian soldiers.
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