The State Defence Concept

In accordance with Article 29 of the National Security Law, the Ministry of Defence prepares the State Defence Concept (SDC). The SDC is a policy planning document that has been prepared on the basis of the Military Threat Analysis. The policy sets out the strategic goals, basic principles, priorities and measures of the country's military defence in times of peace, threat to the state and war. In accordance with the National Security Law of the state, the SDC drafted by the Ministry of Defence shall be reviewed by the Cabinet of Ministers and approved by the Saeima at least once in each parliamentary term - by 1 October of the second year of its activities.

On the basis of the SDC, a national Defence Policy is implemented and specific national defence policy and operational measures are planned. Similarly, the resources needed to implement defence policies and measures, the development of the National Armed Forces (NBS), the necessary preparedness and functioning of public authorities and governmental bodies, local governments, natural and legal persons during peace, state threats and war are planned in accordance with the SDC. The implementation of national protection measures shall be ensured according to the resources available in the performance of the statutory functions and tasks of the NBS. The introduction of the SDC shall be ensured by the national authorities in accordance with their competence and with the tasks specified in regulatory enactments.

On 5 October 2023, the Saeima approved the State Defence Concept developed by the Ministry of Defence, which defines the strategic principles, priorities and measures of the country's military defence in times of peace, national threat and war. The SDC includes two main strategic lines of action for national defence: strengthening deterrence and defence capabilities, and strengthening resilience, capacity and will to defend the country.