According to the Agreement, the Ministry of Defense will allocate no more than 1 050 000 euros or 350 000 euros annually from 2021 to 2023 to partially cover the maintenance costs of the VIRAC.

Professor Kārlis Krēsliņš, Rector of VUAS, emphasized that this funding will allow VIRAC to develop Satellite Communication and take practical steps in this direction. "We would love to do research for the defense industry. We have not only the inherited radio telescopes, but also a LOFAR station that can be used for purposes that would be necessary for protection, such as determining when there will be storms or other cataclysms, etc. This Cooperation Agreement also paves the way for mutual training in the field of Earth satellites and space technologies, which we could provide to the National Armed Forces or the National Defense Academy through study programs,” the Rector of VUAS emphasized.

"We are aware of the value of this heritage. Thus, the defense industry has become involved in the development of Latvian industry and science. The military sector has always been associated with the development of information and technology. We want both our country and our armed forces to be modern. If others do not see the perspective of investing, we see it. If others do not delve into this issue, then we will allocate funds for this research,” said Minister of Defense Artis Pabriks after signing the Agreement.

Aleksejs Klokovs, the director of VIRAC, also participated in the signing of the Agreement, adding that the scientists of the VIRAC are ready to work to implement both basic science research and satellite technology projects. Funding from the Ministry of Defense will provide confidence that the work started can continue.

On April 30, Minister of Defense Artis Pabriks paid a visit to VIRAC radio telescopes in Irbene, where he signed a letter of intent with the Rector of Ventspils University of Applied Sciences on cooperation in the use of radio telescope infrastructure. On June 29, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the allocation of defense budget funds to partially cover the maintenance costs of the Irbene radio telescope.