On December 18, 2025, at the Ādaži military base in Latvia, Frakenburg Technologies conducted successful tests of its newly-developed “Frankenburg Mark 1” guided missile. This missile, designed for mass production using commercially available components, demonstrated full-cycle interception and destruction of fast-moving air targets, specifically addressing threats posed by “Shahed” type and other drone system attacks. The missile’s rapid development timeline of 13 months is significantly shorter than traditional missile programs that typically take ten or more years. The project is part of a broader contract signed earlier in 2025 with the Latvian Ministry of Defence to develop layered anti-drone capabilities, including automated drone interceptors, electronic warfare systems, and guided missile technologies. The tests mark a strategic milestone for European defense innovation and reinforce efforts to enhance the operational capabilities of NATO’s eastern flank amid evolving drone threats exacerbated by the war in Ukraine. Frakenburg Technologies plans to start full-scale production in Latvia next year, making Latvia the first country in the group’s production network for this system. The initiative is partly co-funded by the Ministry of Defence and industry partners, aiming to bolster European military and technological sovereignty and reduce dependency on external suppliers. The Ministry emphasized that this collaboration supports national armed forces' capabilities against rapidly changing security challenges and advances Latvia’s defense industry and research capacities.
Category: Military & Paramilitary Operations
Subcategory: High-Tech Military Tools
Incident Type: Cruise / ballistic missiles
Country: Latvia
Source report: www.delfi.lv/bizness/4…
