The firm, which has operated in Latvia for over 15 years, is a major European producer of Group 2 and 3 uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs). Its Latvian facility is responsible for the development and production of the Penguin fixed-wing UAV and the Octopus line of optical gimbals.
“Our uncrewed aerial systems and ISR gimbal solutions have hundreds of thousands of flight hours and are field proven in extreme temperatures, adverse weather conditions, and conflict situations,” said Joshua Stinson, Chief Growth Officer at Edge Autonomy. “They are designed, tested, and manufactured all in the EU, and are non-ITAR – so our solutions can be easily exported nearly anywhere in the world.”
The expansion strengthens Edge Autonomy’s ability to deliver high-performance UAV technologies to global markets. “Our increased capacities and ongoing presence in Europe enable us to respond quickly and efficiently to meet the needs of our customers, both here in the EU and worldwide,” Mr Stinson added.
Latvia’s Prime Minister Evika Siliņa spoke at the event, noting the country’s rising status as a regional drone hub. She highlighted the role of companies like Edge Autonomy in driving innovation and economic growth in the sector.
U.S. Ambassador to Latvia Chris Robinson also attended, emphasising the strong ties between the United States and Latvia. He underlined the importance of cross-border collaboration in technology and defence development.
The event drew leaders from European technology, business, and government sectors, further demonstrating the strategic relevance of the facility. Edge Autonomy reiterated its commitment to the Latvian community and to supporting the local and international defence industry.
The Riga expansion reflects Edge Autonomy’s sustained growth and its continued investment in Baltic and EU markets. The move also supports long-term cooperation within the Latvian defence sector, reinforcing the nation’s strategic role in Eastern Europe.
Edge Autonomy, headquartered in San Luis Obispo, California, employs over 700 staff globally and operates more than 300,000 square feet of production space across the U.S. and EU. Its autonomous systems are used in nearly 80 countries for military, civil, and academic missions.
