Defence priorities

Comprehensive national defence is one of Latvia’s defence system development priorities. Comprehensive national defence supports and coordinates civil-military cooperation, ensures resilience of state and society, and maintains vital functions during emergency and war.

Latvia is committed to development of comprehensive national defence. National defence roles of all line ministries, in terms of supporting NAF and implementation of its national military and defence plans and functioning society during the time of emergency or war, will be identified and clarified until 2022. Ministry of Defence will coordinate activities of line ministries to ensure they meet the national comprehensive defence system requirements. Defence Ministry will also continue to strengthen the psychological resilience of society.

Latvia is among those NATO member states that are already spending at least 2% of their GDP on defence capabilities. Strengthening of military and defence industry is one of sector’s 2022 priorities.

Latvia is committed to NATO collective defence framework and its goals. We are part of EU’s foreign and security policy initiatives, which are significant for achieving of appropriate levels and safeguards of national security. Latvia is ready to further strengthen the permanent presence of allied forces, including development of multinational division headquarters in Latvia. We will contribute to international missions, operations and rapid response forces. The main goal is to ensure permanent presence of allies in the region.

Latvia will provide its troops for UN, NATO, EU and international coalition missions, NATO Rapid Reaction Force, EU Battlegroups and joint response forces: 

  • Latvian troops take part in KFOR, NMI, EUTM Mali, IRINI, MINUSMA, Inherent Resolve missions
  • Latvia aims to constantly provide participation of at least 50 troops in international missions
  • NAF units routinely rotate to joint response forces like JEF, NRF and EUBG

Latvia regularly hosts ‘Namejs’, a series of military exercises aimed at testing and upgrading NAF readiness to provide national defence. ‘Namejs’ series will be gradually expanded to achieve participation of 15,000 troops in 2022. ‘Kristaps’, government-level table-top exercise will be held at least once a year to improve comprehensive strategic cooperation in case of national threats.

Further investments into NAF combat capabilities, including projects for development of capabilities, personnel training and procurement of modern infrastructure and equipment, are part of long-term national self-defence development plan. Peace-time infrastructure and equipment procurements for civilian and military needs will be implemented in parallel. National self-defence capabilities will be based on motivated and well-trained personnel:

  • professional armed forces
  • National Guard units
  • Army reserve and military reservists, NAF will continue to expand the standing army and reserve forces to meet the capability development priorities

Latvia will continue to invest in National Guard equipment and compatibility with other units. National Guard combat readiness will also be upgraded. Latvia will continue to expand the standing army, reserve and National Guard forces to meet the capability development priorities.

Latvia will support patriotic education of youth to strengthen the national identity, critical thinking and civic awareness through informal education delivered to Cadet Force and gradual development of national defence curriculum delivered by schools.

Latvia will continue sustainable development of NAF mobilisation and firepower capabilities, such as development of mechanised land forces, procurement of multipurpose helicopters, maintenance infrastructure and weapons for improved fire control capabilities. NAF will focus on better command and control and aerial defence capabilities, including procurement of dedicated infrastructure and equipment and relevant training.

To improve resilience against cyber-attacks and reduce digital security risks, Latvia will strengthen its cybersecurity and national cyber defence capabilities. To stop the brain- drain in this field and make information technology security incident response institutions more competitive, Latvia will raise wages in the sector.