Airis Rikveilis appointed as the new State Secretary of the Ministry of Defence

On Tuesday, June 2, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the appointment of Airis Rikveilis to the position of State Secretary of the Ministry of Defence. He will assume his official duties on June 3.

A. Rikveilis possesses more than 25 years of professional experience in national security, defence policy, international cooperation, and strategic communication. Since May 2026, he has served as a defence advisor in the Defence Planning and Analysis Department of the Ministry of Defence. From 2024 to 2026, A. Rikveilis was the National Security Advisor to the Prime Minister, and from 2022 to 2024, he served as a defence advisor at the Embassy of Latvia to the United States in Washington, D.C. 

From 2019 to 2022, A. Rikveilis was the Chairman of the Board of the NATO Alliance Ground Surveillance Management Organization (NAGSMO) and simultaneously served as a defence advisor at the Permanent Representation of Latvia to the European Union. Previously, A. Rikveilis represented Latvia for six years at NATO and the European Union as a defence advisor. He has also headed the Military Public Affairs Department of the Ministry of Defence, served as Head of the Minister of Defence's Office, Director of the Public Relations Department, Head of the Press Division, and Senior Desk Officer in the International Relations Department.

In 2007, A. Rikveilis graduated from the Generals, Flag Officers and Ambassadors Course at the NATO Defense College in Rome, Italy. In 2006, he earned a Master’s degree with honors in Global Security Studies from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California, and in 2003, he graduated from the US Department of State's International Visitor Leadership Program. In 2001, A. Rikveilis obtained a Master's degree in Social Sciences from the Faculty of Economics and Management at the University of Latvia, and in 1998, a Master’s degree in Arts from the Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music.

The civil service relationship with the former State Secretary, Aivars Puriņš, was terminated on May 31 at his own request. Until now, the duties of the State Secretary of the Ministry of Defence were fulfilled by Rolands Heniņš, the Policy Director – Deputy State Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, in addition to his direct responsibilities.

Information prepared by:
MoD Military Public Affairs Department
Media Relations Section
Phone: 67335210
E-mail: prese@mod.gov.lv