Selonia Military Training Area 

The development of the Selonia Military Training Area is one of the most important Latvian defence infrastructure projects, providing a training environment for Latvian and allied armed forces units. The development of the military training area is being implemented in stages. The first phase was implemented between 2022 and 2025 and provides initial operational capabilities. It includes a logistics support area for units up to company size, an ammunition storage area, a 300-meter shooting range, an infantry tactical shooting range, a machine gun and sniper shooting range, and an unexploded ordnance area.

During the first stage, the total area acquired was 15,590 hectares, which is approximately 61 percent of the planned landfill area. At the same time, the marking of the outer boundaries of the property taken over in the first phase of the military training area has been completed. The development costs for the first stage amount to approximately EUR 36.5 million. 

The facilities built during the first stage will be put into operation in early 2026. On February 20, the combat shooting training area of the military training area will be opened. The training ground provides new training infrastructure, including shooting ranges for the use of various types of weapons and weapon systems, strengthening the training capabilities of the National Armed Forces and allied units in Latvia. 

Tactical and engineering training, armored vehicle movements, aircraft flyovers, and unmanned aerial vehicle training is already taking place at the Selonia Military Training Area. Soldiers from the National Armed Forces, including the National Guard and the National Defence Service, as well as units from allied countries, are participating in the training. Several international military exercises are planned at the training ground in 2026.  

The second stage of the training area is planned for 2026–2029, and its goal is to ensure full operational capabilities by developing collective training infrastructure, with the main priority being to ensure maneuverability for brigade-level training. 

The Ministry of Defence plans to acquire a total of 25,596 ha of land for the creation of the Selonia Military Training Area, including:

• 1,001 ha of land owned by private individuals (natural and legal persons);

• 24,595 ha of land owned by public entities (the state, local governments).

The process of infrastructure construction and real estate acquisition and expropriation is being organized in stages.

Stage I (2022-2025)

The first stage has now been completed, as a result of which 11 state-owned properties (covering an area of 15,430 ha) have been taken over by the Ministry of Defence and 14 properties owned by private individuals have been expropriated (expropriated area 160 ha), totaling 15,590 ha, which is approximately 61% of the total area of the training ground.

Along with the consolidation of property rights in the land register in the name of the state, represented by the Ministry of Defence, hunting rights lease agreements have also been renewed for areas included in the first round of state-owned real estate taken over.

The outer boundary of the Selonia Military Training Area is marked with special information signs reading "MILITARY OBJECT", and therefore crossing the marked boundary without prior agreement is an administrative offence. Access to private property located within the military training area must be agreed in advance by writing to selija@mod.gov.lv.  

The State Defence Military Facilities and Procurement Centre has completed the construction of the first phase of infrastructure facilities at the Selonia Military Training Area. The completed facilities – an unexploded ordnance zone, a training ground control tower, three shooting ranges, an ammunition storage facility, and the first part of a temporary accommodation area – will be put into operation by the end of February 2026.

Stage II (2026-2029)

In 2026, it is planned to transfer the remaining state-owned real estate (including two municipal properties) to the Ministry of Defence, as well as to continue the expropriation of next private properties.

Construction work on the second phase of infrastructure facilities will begin in the first months of 2026. The second phase of the training ground's development is planned to be implemented from 2026 to 2029.

The main infrastructure facilities planned for the second phase are:

• development of temporary accommodation area;

• maneuvering corridor;

• warehouses;

• barracks;

• canteen;

• medical center;

• etc.

Since the Cabinet of Ministers supported the partial second phase development of the Selonia Military Training Area within the framework of a private-public partnership September 2025, accordingly, the Ministry of Defence has concluded an agreement with the state joint stock company “State Real Estate" to ensure the implementation of this project.

Intensity of military exercise in Latvia has increased since Russian aggression against Ukraine in 2014 and deployment of additional allied forces to Latvia. Therefore, Ministry of Defence (MoD) has been systematically developing and expanding its training infrastructure all over Latvia to help National Armed Forces (NAF) and allied troops enhance their diverse skills. Camp Ādaži has been the biggest training area in the Baltics for almost nine decades. It was expanded in 2017. In parallel, MoD continued to develop other training grounds such as ‘Lāčusils’, a training centre in Alūksne region, or ‘Mežaine’ near Skrunda and ‘Meža Mackeviči’ in Augšdaugava region. All military camps are routinely engaged during training of NAF troops and National Guard. Allied troops also take part in such exercise to be ready to defend Latvia and every inch of our land whenever necessary.

According to definition of Ministry of Defence, one of Latvia’s national defence priorities is to support NATO Multinational Brigade in Latvia. This is achieved through efficient host nation support framework and Latvia’s commitments to other Allies. To accommodate the training needs of a growing force, which will consist of additional allied troops deployed to Baltics based on decisions of the Madrid Summit and strong defence sector NAF personnel recruitment ambitions, Latvia will need to develop a new training centre. Moreover, several Allies have pledged their commitment to Latvia’s security after Russia’s unprovoked aggression against Ukraine on 24 February and additional troops and military equipment has been provided, thus placing increasing demands on the existing military infrastructure. USA, Canada, Denmark and Spain have already deployed additional troops to Latvia. Arriving units are integrated in daily exercise routine of NAF and NATO Multinational Brigade In Latvia to enhance their capabilities.

After careful assessment of potential training ground locations, Ministry of Defence and NAF selected the area surrounding Aizkraukle and Jēkabpils regions.

On June 22, 2023, the Saeima adopted the law on the creation of the Selonia Military Training Area in the second - final - reading, establishing the prerequisites for the creation of a new Military Training Area in the territories of Jēkabpils and Aizkraukles counties.

At the same time, the Saeima adopted amendments to the Forest Law, which will allow state forest land to be received as compensation for expropriated real estate if the owner so wishes.

The development of the military training area is planned in such a way as to minimise the impact on the rights of private owners and the freedom of movement of residents – most of the polygon is planned to be located on forest land.

New military training facility will boost regional growth and fuel the local economies of Aizkraukle un Jēkabpils regions. This will also trigger influx of people, infrastructure upgrades and jobs creation. For example, development of Camp Ādaži and its training centre has been very positive for local businesses.

Local producers and services are providing military with everything it needs, including catering, physical health, entertainment, beauty care and other services. According to Ādaži business owners, allied troops helped them survive the Covid-19 crisis as their share in local consumption amounts to 30%.  Growth in the region and investments in public infrastructure have also pushed real estate value around Ādaži way up.
Local residents will have the opportunity to join military and serve near their home if they want to learn military craft and defend themselves, their relatives, homes and region in case of threats.

It is envisaged that new military training area will also cover territory rich in natural habitats and birds of various species. National Armed Forces are fully committed to all applicable environmental restrictions and ready to treat environment with utmost care. Selonia military training area and noise from its shooting range will not endanger protected bird species or their nesting grounds located in the micro-reserve. Neither environment nor any other natural resources will be harmed. All activities conducted in the military area will comply with requirements of law regarding buffer zones.

Camp Ādaži is a good example of how military camp can coincide with nature. Regular supervised military exercise is a lot less harmful to rare and protected species than intensive farming. Camp Ādaži is both training area of the National Armed Forces and also a NATURA 2000 site, a part of network of nature protection areas in the territory of the European Union that is comprised of Europe’s most valuable natural assets. Other European military camps are also listed as specially protected NATURA 2000 sites because of biological disturbances that create unique patches of habitats that can rarely be encountered anywhere else as a result of intensive military exercise. Environmental protection plans of military camps also pay special attention to spaces between buildings to create natural ‘islands’ or ‘pockets’ that animals and plants can inhabit.

In its daily activities, defence staff will aspire to create as less disturbance for the local community as possible, while also encouraging local residents to treat national defence needs with proper respect and understanding. Farming near the base will not be restricted. National Armed Forces are not intending to limit traffic on regional or state roads. However, some temporary restrictions may be introduced during specific training operations and local communities will be notified duly.

Ministry of Defence will extend the existing agreements with hunting associations and hunting will be allowed in future. Hunting sessions will have to be approved by National Armed Forces and hunters will have to follow special safety instructions for training area.