Agenda
About
Agenda
Evika Siliņa, Prime Minister of the Republic of Latvia
This panel will aim to explore the role of ad hoc coalitions and military support mechanisms in modern security frameworks, highlighting their strengths and vulnerabilities. Experts will discuss Europe’s readiness to address emerging challenges, including threats in grey zones, and assess the strategic adjustments needed to enhance resilience and coordination.
Moderator:
Luukas Ilves, Advisor to the Deputy Prime Minister, Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine
Speakers:
Andris Sprūds, Minister of Defence of the Republic of Latvia
Ruben Brekelmans, Minister of Defence of the Netherlands
Theo Francken, Minister of Defence of Belgium;
Luke Pollard, Minister of the Armed Forces of the United Kingdom
As drones become a defining element of modern warfare, this discussion will examine their impact on military tactics, technology, and the evolving warrior ethos. Panelists will assess the advantages and limitations of drone warfare, considering how these advancements will shape combat operations, ethical considerations, and the nature of military service.
Moderator:
Tomass Pildegovičs, Advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia
Speakers:
Peter Pörsch, Head of the Drone Office, Federal Ministry of Defense of Germany
Maj. Gen. Kaspars Pudāns, Commander, National Armed Forces of the Republic of Latvia
Carl Larson, Executive Director, Defense Tech for Ukraine
This session will focus on the key challenges and solutions in optimizing drone capabilities through stronger collaboration between the military, scientific research, and industry leaders. Panelists will explore emerging trends driving the future of drone deployment, highlighting strategies for innovation, integration, and operational effectiveness.
Moderator:
Ilmārs Ozols, Head of UAS Flight Safety Section, Latvian Civil Aviation Agency
Speakers:
Artis Pabriks, Chairman of the Board, Military Technology, Drones & Robotics Association
Kusti Salm, CEO, Frankenburg Technologies
Ron Roozendaal, Special Envoy Uncrewed Systems, Dutch Ministry of Defence
Bringing together key takeaways from the conference, this plenary session will reflect on the most pressing challenges, emerging trends, and strategic recommendations for the future of the region. Panelists will offer final insights and discuss actionable steps for advancing security, technology, and cooperation in the evolving defence landscape.
Moderator:
Kristīne Bērziņa, Managing Director of GMF Geostrategy North
Speakers:
Tālis Juhna, Rector, Riga Technical University
Bg (Ret) Anders Persson, Capability Director, Head of Division for Military Defence, Ministry of Defence of Sweden
Maj. Taras Valeriyovych Berezovets, Armed Forces of Ukraine
Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi, Chair of the Defence Committee, Parliament of the United Kingdom
Maj. Gen. Andis Dilāns, Under Secretary of State for Logistics, Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Latvia
The battlefield is evolving – and so is the technology behind it. A new wave of defence-focused startups is developing advanced drone systems already reshaping modern warfare. This session brings together a curated group of these companies to present their solutions – most already field-tested and backed by leading investors. Industry experts will join to offer insights and critical assessments. If you’re curious about the next generation of defence innovation, this is the session to attend.
Moderator:
Andris Baumanis, CEO, Unilab
Speakers:
Baiba Braže, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia
Theo Fölling, Director Programs at Oost NL, President of EURADA and SKBN
Startup Pitchers:
Origin Robotics, Agris Ķipurs, Latvia
Aquila, Ruby Jones, Australia
Broswarm, Ernestas Zvaigzdinas, Lithuania
Point Zenith, Karl Eze, United Kingdom
Ark Robotics, Krists Avots, Estonia/Ukraine
Submerge Baltic, Kārlis Bērziņš, Latvia
Avalor AI, Miel van den Brekel, Netherland
Unmanned Defense Systems, Vytenis Buzas, Lithuania
Stark Defence, Richard Anthony Pass, Germany
Jury:
Maj. Modris Kairišs, Commander of the Air Force Training Center, Latvia
Lt. Col. Mykyta Rudichenko, Chief of Development of UAS Division Unmanned Systems Department, Ukraine
Maj. Matthew McGarvey-Miles, Lead for Joint Procurement of the Drone Capability Coalition, British Army
Kari A. Bingen, Director, Aerospace Security Project and Senior Fellow, International Security Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, United States
Universities play a crucial role in fostering innovation and advancing drone technology through collaboration with public institutions and the private sector. This discussion will highlight how academia can serve as a catalyst for start-up development, technology transfer, and international partnerships to accelerate breakthroughs in drone capabilities.
Moderator:
Liene Briede, Vice-rector of Innovations, Riga Technical University
Speakers:
Lauma Muižniece, Director of Latvian Council of Science
Zach Beecher, Director, Partner at Scout Ventures
Stefano Primatesta, Assistant Professor, Politecnico di Torino
Hans-Christian Mathiesen, Vice President Defence Programs, Sky-Watch
Uģis Norītis, Undersecretary of State for Planning, Ministry of Defence of Latvia
This panel will showcase the latest innovations in drone and counter-drone technology, with a focus on AI-driven solutions, high-performance autonomous systems, and scalable production. Experts will discuss the challenges and opportunities in transferring these innovations into effective military applications and the future trajectory of drone development.
Moderator:
Viesturs Celmiņš, Managing Director, VEFRESH
Speakers:
Agris Ķipurs, CEO, Origin Robotics
Hendrik Sippl, Programme Manager FCAS Remote Carrier, Airbus Defence and Space
Oleksandra Molloy, Senior Lecturer in Aviation, University of New South Wales at the Australian Defence Force Academy
Kadi Silde, Director of European Engagement, Helsing
Andis Ozoliņš, Expert Partner | Attorney at Law, Law Firm WALLESS
As drone threats evolve, counter-drone strategies must integrate multiple layers of defence. This session will examine real-time detection, electronic warfare, and kinetic countermeasures, as well as regulatory frameworks guiding airspace management. Panelists will assess how governments and industries can collaborate to neutralize unmanned threats effectively.
Moderator:
Julia Gifford, Truesix Co-founder, CEO
Speakers:
Kaspars Pollaks, Director of LMT Defence, Latvijas Mobilais Telefons SIA
Yaroslav Filimonov, CEO & Co-Owner, KVERTUS
Lennart Bult, Co-Founder, Managing Director, Emergent Swarm Solutions B.V.
Maj.Gen(Ret.) Veiko-Vello Palm, Management Board Member, Frankenburg Technologies OU
Christian Jäger, Head of Reconnaissance and Protection, Hensoldt AG
Speakers
Innovation & Industry Expo
The Innovation & Industry Expo at Drone Summit 2025 provides a unique platform for companies to showcase cutting-edge drone technologies that align with the summit’s key themes. This exclusive exhibition space is available to a limited number of participants, carefully selected to ensure a high-quality and impactful experience for attendees.
As participation is by invitation only, we are reaching out directly to industry leaders. However, if your company is interested in exploring potential opportunities to exhibit, we encourage you to get in touch.
Ensure a seamless showcase of your cutting-edge technologies by exploring the Expo Manual, which contains essential guidelines, setup details, and key information for exhibitors at Drone Summit 2025. Download it here
featured events
Workshop
Under the guidance of experienced instructors from Drone Aid Collective and Riga Technical University, members of the Youth Guard will have a unique, hands-on opportunity to build their own drones.
Throughout the workshop, participants will develop essential technical skills and explore the fundamentals of drone construction—from electronics and mechanics to software setup and flight testing. Working with proven, battle-tested components, they’ll gain practical insights into how drones are built, tuned, and prepared for real-world missions.
Drone Summit attendees will have the opportunity to observe the workshop up close, gaining insight into each stage of the drone-building process.
By the end of the workshop, 30 drones will be assembled. Each will undergo thorough testing before being sent to Ukraine, where they’ll provide crucial support to frontline defenders through surveillance, communication, and operational tasks.
Defence Tech Meetup
The third closed Defence Tech Meetup will bring together key players from Latvia’s Defence Tech ecosystem and international partners to exchange ideas, explore new initiatives, and discuss emerging priorities in the field.
Taking place after the official part of the Drone Summit at Startup House Riga, this unofficial gathering is designed to foster meaningful connections, encourage cross-border collaboration, and support the evolution of defence technologies through open dialogue and shared insights.
UniLab Defence Pitch Session
Showcasing the most innovative and promising early-stage drone startups from across the Drone Coalition countries. We welcome seed-stage unmanned vehicle startups (aerial, maritime, or ground-based), as well as drone-related software and hardware companies that have achieved initial traction, such as pilot projects or commercial sales in the defense industry. Interested startups are encouraged to contact us at [email protected].