Native Trading agrees €70-90m rocket plant deal in Latvia

On 24 July 2026 Economics Minister Viktors Valainis signed a memorandum of understanding with US company Native Trading on building a full-cycle artillery rocket factory in Latvia: solid propellant production, warhead filling, final assembly and qualification testing at a single site. The project volume is put at €70–90m; the location is still being evaluated. The memorandum gives no concrete figure for new jobs, referring only to highly qualified employment. This is a declaration of intent, not a binding investment decision. The project is separate from the already recorded artillery ammunition joint venture between Rheinmetall and Latvia's State Defence Corporation.