Latvia: Saeima committee backs Kaspars Pudans as new armed forces chief

The defence committee of the Latvian parliament, the Saeima, has approved President Edgars Rinkevics’s nomination of Brigade General Kaspars Pudans as the next commander of the Latvian National Armed Forces (NBS), LETA reports. Pudans emphasised the need to develop Latvia’s defence capabilities further. Currently, Pudans serves as commander of the Latvian National Guard (LRZS). He has served in the NBS since 1994. The Saeima approves the NBS commander for a four-year term.