Defense
Last week, July 19, the third conscription of the State Defence Service (VAD) started its military service. 450 young people were due to join, but 15 fewer arrived in Ādaži. Some of them had an excuse, others did not tell anyone about their absence. What happens to those who avoid the service?
Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence, announced July 23 that Canada is investing $35.8 million (23.9 million euros) to deliver 90 Light Tactical Vehicles (LTVs) to Canadian Army personnel deployed in Latvia under Operation REASSURANCE – Canada’s mission in support of NATO’s assurance and deterrence measures.
The influx of migrants at Latvia's border with Belarus has increased again - more than 100 attempts to illegally enter Latvia were prevented last weekend. The head of the State Border Guard, General Guntis Pujāts, sees this as a deliberate retaliation policy, Latvian Radio reports July 22.
On Tuesday, July 16, the government authorized the Latvian State Radio and Television Center (LVRTC) to undertake financial commitments of EUR 31.67 million) to ensure the construction of technological infrastructure along the Latvian-Russian border, LETA reports.
On Tuesday, July 16, the government confirmed Normunds Mežviets as the Head of the State Security Service (VDD) for a third term, the Ministry of the Interior said.
Floating supports are being installed on the Latvian-Russian border in the Ludza region to make it possible to install a fence in the marshy terrain, construction contractors Nordes būve Ltd. said in a release on July 16.
The government will decide on Tuesday on the approval of Normunds Mežviets, the head of the State Security Service (VDD), in office for another five-year term.
On Monday, July 15, Commander Vince Kirstein of the Canadian Armed Forces Command in Latvia received the Latvian Military award from President Edgars Rinkēvičs – the Order of Viesturs.
Latvian Radio has taken to the streets to ask people about their attitudes towards the so-called 'X hour' ('X stunda') which is the preferred euphemism of officials for a major civil defense situation or natural disaster. Most people interpret it as most likely referring to war and invasion, particularly given Russia's actions in Ukraine.
New Zealand on July 10 became the latest country to join the 'Drone Coalition' for Ukraine co-led by Latvia and the United Kingdom, reports the 'Sargs.lv' military news portal.
On Tuesday, July 9, the government endorsed the extension of the participation of the National Armed Forces (NBS) in the NATO mission in Iraq until November 1, 2026.
The Latvian Ministry of Defense said July 5 that it has lined up the delivery of more than 2,500 combat drones to Ukraine, with the first shipment scheduled to take place "in the next few days".
The United States, Poland, Estonia and Latvia currently lead the way in NATO when it comes to defense spending as a proportion of GDP, according to recent research conducted by the International Centre for Defence and Security (ICDS), a think-tank in Tallinn, Estonia.
About 5,000 allied soldiers will be deployed in Latvia in the coming years, Latvian Defence Minister Andris Sprūds (Progressives) told LETA in an interview on July 3.
The number of attempts to illegally cross the Latvian-Belarusian border has increased in recent days, Guntis Pujāts, Chief of the State Border Guard Service, said in an interview on the Latvian Television program "Morning Panorama" July 4.
On Wednesday, July 3, a ceremony is being held at the Ādaži military base near Rīga, which will mark the beginning of the expansion of NATO's enhanced presence in Latvia to the level of a brigade and the creation of the new NATO multinational brigade in Latvia, which will consist of more than 3,500 soldiers.
A production plant making modular powder charges for artillery ammunition is planned to be built in Iecava parish, and its production capacity is planned to be 50,000 charges per year, Minister of Defense Andris Sprūds (Progressives) told the LETA newswire in an interview July 3.
The Government on Tuesday, July 2, approved the removal of Major General Andis Dilāns from the post of Chief of the Joint Staff of the National Armed Forces (NAF), replacing him with Brigadier General Georgs Kerlins, LETA reports.
From Monday, July 1, technology companies and start-ups are invited to apply for the Defense Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) annual grant competition, according to a release from the Latvian Ministry of Defense.
Following a request from Ukraine to provide medical rehabilitation to a larger number of wounded soldiers, the Latvian government on Tuesday, June 18, approved the admission of 50 additional soldiers to the rehabilitation center "Jaunķemeri", the Ministry of Health (VM) said.
On Tuesday, June 18 the Latvian government decided to allocate 10 million euros from contingency funds for the strengthening of Latvia's eastern border, reports LSM's Latvian language service.
The first Patria 6x6 armored personnel carrier will be ready at the Valmiera plant in a few weeks, and 25 units of this type are planned to be built by the end of the year, the production facility told Latvian Television on June 17.
On Monday, June 17, Minister of Defense Andris Sprūds is visiting France on a working visit to participate in the opening event of the Latvian national stand of the Latvian Security and Defense Industries Federation (DAIF) at the Eurosatory 2024 exhibition.
A plan floated by Estonia to defend the eastern border of the European Union from possible incursions by drones from Russia and Belarus still has a long way to go before becoming a reality, reported Latvian Television's 'De Facto' investigative show June 16.
France and Italy are to add their considerable weights to the Latvian co-led Drone Coalition for Ukraine, the Latvian Ministry of Defense confirmed June 14.
Deforestation of 450 hectares of state-owned territories has started for the military base "Sēlija/Selonia", the Ministry of Defense said June 12.
The Ministry of the Interior and the State Border Guard have signed an agreement on the purchase of a patrol vessel worth EUR 6.29 million for the needs of the State Border Guard, the Border Guard said in a statement on June 12.
130 kilometers or 46% of the planned fence have been built on the Latvian-Russian border, the State Enterprise "State Real Estate" (VNĪ) said June 12.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg was in Rīga, Latvia, June 11 to attend the B9 summit and collect a state decoration, as previously reported by LSM.
Latvia is part of a new initiative that aims to cut through the vast trash of Russian disinformation and propaganda about its war in Ukraine.
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