Extensive military training, during which NATO allies train to overcome joint security challenges, has in recent years become a common practice in Latvia, reported LSM's Latvian service on June 13. In the days before the Jāņi festival, the Baltic Sea has become the site of ambitious naval practice program “Baltops 2019”, which marks 47 years since its inception. As part of the program, the largest ship of the Spanish fleet, “Juan Carlos I” is floating in Latvian waters. The operation is a novel experience for Spanish troops, as this is the first time the training is taking place so far from home waters.
The annual Rīga Dialogue strategic communications conference winds up June 12, with another two days of academic, military and technological discussion having passed at the Latvian National Library.
Despite costing the state 62 million euros per year in maintenance costs, since 2012 there has been "virtually no progress" in implementing the management policy of state-owned Information and Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure, the State Audit Office concluded in a report released June 10.
Drones - unmanned aerial vehicles - pose an increasing challenge to the security of critical infrastructure in Latvia, so the regulatory framework in this area needs to be improved, the State Security Service told the LETA newswire June 9.
NATO's Rīga-based Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence (STRATCOMCOE) stages its annual conference next week, though in fairness it is a bit more interesting and dynamic than most large-scale gatherings covering similar topics.
In an effort to preserve a rare and endangered species of water plant named Dortmann's cardinalflower (Lobelia Dortmanna), swimming in the Ummis lake, situated in the nature park “Piejūra” in the Carnikava municipality, will be prohibited from June 1 to August 15, informed the Nature Protection Board (DAP).
The Defense Ministry has ordered €4m worth of anti-tank munitions from Sweden's SAAB Dynamics AB for its Swedish-made "Carl Gustav" anti-tank weapons, the ministry told the press May 21.
British Eurofighter Typhoon jets scrambled twice in two days this week to intercept Russian aircraft, NATO said in a release May 16.
A second Albanian soldier has died of his injuries as a result of an accident that occurred in Latvia, the Ministry of Defense has confirmed.
The body of the deceased Albanian Sergeant Zarife Hasanaj was repatriated to Albania May 9.
One Albanian soldier who was injured in a blast at the Ādaži training grounds on May 6 has been discharged from the hospital, while the other one is still in intensive care.
An accident has claimed the life of an Albanian soldier stationed in Latvia as part of NATO's multinational battalion, LSM's Latvian service reported May 6.
May 4 will see the town of Jekabpils hosting the annual military parade in celebration of the 29th anniversary of the restoration of independence of the Republic of Latvia.
Scheduled as well as random inspections will be carried out at the National Armed Forces to make sure that the army is combat ready, Defense Minister Artis Pabriks (Development/For!) told a press conference April 29.
From April 25 to May 11, approximately 500 Latvian soldiers and National Guards will be involved in military drills dubbed “Kevadtorm 2019" (“Spring storm 2019”) in Estonia, the Defense Ministry has announced.
Latvia's state security service, the Constitution Protection Bureau (SAB) has released its annual public overview of its activities in 2018, following the submission of its full report to the cabinet of ministers.
Hungary, backed up by Spain and the United Kingdom, will take the lead in the next rotation of NATO's Baltic Air Policing mission, the alliance announced April 17.
U.S. defense think-tank the Rand Corporation has produced a new report titled Deterring Russian Aggression in the Baltic States.
April 8 sees the start of the latest military exercises to take place on Latvian territory.
The flags were flying across Latvia March 29 to mark the country's 15 years as a full member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
The Riga Municipal Police last week fined two U.S. soldiers €400 each for relieving themselves at the Freedom Monument.
Seven of 29 NATO countries, including the Baltic countries of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, hit the alliance's defense spending target in 2018, AFP news agency reported.
To mark the 15th anniversary of Latvia’s NATO membership and the 70th anniversary of NATO, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia is inviting young adults aged 18 to 25 to apply for participation in what it calls the "NATO Summit Simulation Game."
The Defense Ministry is to cancel a tender for buying 4x4 vehicles worth about €200m, the ministry said March 8.
Lieutenant-Colonel Philippe Sauvé recently took over as top brass of NATO's enhanced forward presence in Latvia, thereby concluding the rotation of the third group of troops deployed in Latvia.
The National Armed Forces (NAF), in cooperation with other institutions, are investigating an incident in which helicopter pilots were blinded by what is suspected to be a laser device, reported Latvian Radio February 24.
Latvia's Defense Ministry said February 20 that bogus emails had been reported purporting to have been sent by Defense Minister Artis Pabriks but which were in fact fakes.
The Rīga-based NATO Strategic Communication Center of Excellence (STRATCOMCOE) has a new publication out and available to download online.
Thirteen UH-60 and HH-60 Black Hawk helicopters have arrived in Latvia, the Defense Ministry told the press February 8.
Latvia's Ministry of Defense issued a reminder January 31 to over 3,000 reserve soldiers, asking them to check their inboxes.