This issue opens 2026 with major momentum in Baltic and regional defence. Estonia’s Frankenburg Technologies signs an MoU with UK defence giant Babcock to develop a containerised, low-cost counter-drone air defence launch platform. Latvia breaks ground on the Baltic states’ first 155mm modular powder charge assembly plant, while Rheinmetall advances plans for a large artillery ammunition factory in Latvia. We also explore why the Baltic states should look to Finland’s David’s Sling procurement for building layered air defence, and cover key developments from deep-tech (a debated “superbattery” claim) to procurement leadership shifts at Estonia’s defence investments agency, plus export wins for Lithuania’s BROLIS, booming demand for Estonia’s Alunaut workboats, Rail Baltica progress, and a major NIB loan to Saab for R&D.
