The construction of the exensive 'Sēlija' facility will be divided into three phases, with the first phase expected to be completed by the end of next year, and all three completed by 2030.
Minister of Defense Andris Sprūds (Progressives) said in an interview on Latvian Radio that all preparations have been made and now construction will begin so that military exercises can be conducted at the range from 2026.
In the first phase of construction, a maneuvering area, ammunition storage and shooting range, as well as a temporary barracks for soldiers who will come for training will be put in place.
The Ministry of Defense plans to take over land with a total area of 25,596 hectares for the development of the military range, of which 24,595 hectares belong to the state and local governments, while 1,001 hectares are being expropriated from private individuals.
Currently, work is being done on defining the infrastructure construction plan and technical requirements for the second round of development. The main planned objects in the second phase of the landfill construction will be a maneuvering corridor, warehouses, barracks, a canteen, a medical center and other support infrastructure.
The need for a new military training facility was prompted by Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the growing size of the multinational military presence in Latvia as a defense against further potential aggression from Russia and Belarus.
