Thursday, 15 October saw Latvian Minister of Defense Artis Pabriks, Finnish Minister of Defense Antti Kaikkonen and the company Patria Land Oy president Jussi Järvinen signed an agreement on research and development of a common 6x6 armored car system based on Patria vehicles.
Defense
The annual military parades planned for November 11 (Latvia's remembrance day for soldiers) and November 18 (Independence Day) have been cancelled due to the prevailing pandemic, the Ministry of Defense announced October 14.
On September 29 and 30 Liepāja was the location for a training exercise organized by the State Security Service (VDD) preparing a co-ordinated response in the event of a terrorist attack, a press release from the VDD said October 1.
The Rīga-based NATO Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence (STRATCOMCOE) has published a new podcast on the topic of disinformation.
Saeima has approved a new State Defense Concept, which determines the main directions of the national defense and protection, Latvian Television reported September 24.
On Thursday the Saeima adopted a decision on the participation of Latvian National Armed Forces (NBS) soldiers in the European Union (EU) military operation in the Mediterranean region and the NATO mission in Iraq, Saeima press service said September 17.
The Prosecutor's Office annulled the decision of the Internal Security Bureau (IDB), which identified Chief of State Border Guard Guntis Pujāts as suspect, Pujāts' lawyer Alla Juraša told LETA September 16.
Defence Minister Artis Pabriks addressed his US counterparts about the possibility of setting up a certain proportion of US troops in Latvia and in Poland, Pabriks told Latvian Radio September 9.
Thursday, September 3, Saeima confirmed the decision on Latvian National Armed Forces (NBS) soldier participation in NATO-led international operation in Kosovo until December 31, 2023, parliament representatives said September 3.
On Tuesday, August 25, the Cabinet of Ministers reviewed and approved the state civil protection plan prepared by the Ministry of the Interior, which was developed by the State Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) in cooperation with other institutions, the government press office said.
From August 25 to 28, don't be surprised to hear the roar of jet engines north of Rīga as the National Armed Forces and the NATO enhanced presence in Latvia will be taking part in training exercises around Vangaži.
The government supported the sending of Latvian soldiers to the international operation in Kosovo (KFOR), newswire LETA said August 11.
Latvia is planning to participate in the latest iteration of the NATO mission in Iraq with a unit of 34 soldiers, news agency LETA said July 29.
In response to the call of the Finnish military industry company Patria, more than 50 Latvian companies have shown interest in participating in the future industrial cluster for the military, Latvian Radio reported July 26.
A recent official publication that aims to help Latvian residents plan their actions in the case of a major emergency situation is now being made available via the State Revenue Service's online presence.
From July 13 to 20, as part of the ongoing the U.S. military operation "Atlantic Resolve", about 10 UH-60 "Black Hawk" helicopters will arrive in Latvia to strengthen regional security, Latvia's Defense Ministry confirmed July 10.
For the first time in the history of the Latvian army, the rank of colonel has been assigned to a woman, Ilze Žilde, Head of the United Staff of the National Armed Forces, said the Commander of the National Armed Forces (NBS) Leonīds Kalniņš.
Over three years, more than €100 million is planned to be invested in National Guard (Zemessardze) infrastructure, defense chief Lieutenant General Leonīds Kalniņš told Latvian Television on July 7.
A military transport plane with Canadian soldiers on its way to Latvia was turned back on Thursday, July 2, half-way, as it was found that someone who might have been in contact with people on the aircraft had become infected with COVID-19, news agency LETA reported on July 6.
After July 9, the army no longer intends to continue national guard patrol on the eastern border of the country, Defense Minister Artis Pabriks told news agency LETA on July 4.
In 2017, Canada took up its role leading NATO’s Enhanced Forward Presence (EFP) Battlegroup in Latvia, and in July 2018, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau renewed Canada’s commitment for four years.
The Rīga-based NATO Strategic Communications Center of Excellence (STRATCOMCOE) hosts another in its series of online discussions on July 1.
The Rīga-based NATO Strategic Communications Center of Excellence (STRATCOMCOE) is back with another online discussion on June 17.
The Rīga-based NATO Strategic Communications Center of Excellence (NATO STRATCOMCOE) is hosting another in its series of online discussions June 10, with China the topic under examination.
International NATO and allied military exercises in the Baltic Sea "Baltops 2020" have been launched, Latvian Television reported on June 8.
The Rīga-based NATO Strategic Communications Center of Excellence (STRATCOMCOE) has another in its series of online conversations taking place this week, June 3.
The National Armed Forces (NBS) received a new personality assessment tool developed by Latvian scientists, reported Latvian Radio on May 28.
Last year, NATO interceptors responded about 200 times to unauthorized approaches to Baltic airspace, representatives reported on May 25.
The Rīga-based NATO Strategic Communications Center of Excellence (STRATCOMCOE) has another in its series of online conversations taking place this week.
Latvia's National Armed Forces, together with the Estonian Armed Forces, has placed an order with Swedish company Saab Dynamics AB for the supply of a new 'Carl-Gustaf M4' anti-tank weapons.