Latvia plans to establish advanced border surveillance technology

The European Commission (EC) grants €17 million to Latvia for enhancing the monitoring of the European Union's (EU) eastern border. These funds will be utilized for constructing advanced infrastructure to facilitate surveillance along the border.

, and Administrator

2025 September 14 . 8:34 AM

2 min read

Border surveillance in Latvia to become high-tech

Latvia plans to establish advanced border surveillance technology

Latvia is set to bolster its border security with the aid of €17 million from the European Commission (EC) funds. This investment will be channelled towards the construction of smart infrastructure on a 52.9 km section of the Latvian-Russian border.

The smart infrastructure, which includes an electronic communications network, external utilities for electricity supply, a presence detection system, surveillance equipment, and related infrastructure, is intended to enhance the efficiency of the State Border Guard and make the external border safer.

Rihards Kozlovskis, Minister of the Interior of Latvia, from the party New Unity, is the coordinating minister for the use of the EU-allocated funds. Defence Minister Andris Spruds will oversee the coordinating works for the construction of this smart infrastructure.

Preparatory works for the construction of smart infrastructure on the Latvian-Russian border are already underway with state budget funds for 2024-2026. The project aims to improve border surveillance and security, and it is currently in the construction phase.

The EC has allocated a total of €170 million to six border countries for border surveillance improvement. Alongside Latvia, Estonia will receive €19.4 million, Finland €50 million, Lithuania €15.4 million, Poland €52 million, and Norway €16.4 million from the EC funds.

The European Commission also has the right to restrict asylum for illegal immigrants used as tools by totalitarian regimes in Moscow and Minsk to destabilize the bloc. By the end of 2026, the Latvia-Russia and Latvia-Belarus external land borders will be fully equipped with smart infrastructure.

This investment in smart infrastructure is a significant relief to the national budget of Latvia, providing much-needed resources for other essential services and development projects. The project underscores the commitment of the European Union and its member states to maintain secure and efficient borders, ensuring the safety and well-being of its citizens.