The Russian unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that crashed in Latvia’s eastern Rezekne municipality was an Iranian-designed Shahed drone carrying 90 kg of explosives, the Latvian National Armed Forces (NBS) announced, LETA reports. The drone’s warhead did not detonate in the crash. NBS deactivated the drone and is now inspecting its components. Janis Garisons, former state…
A Russian military drone crashed in Latvia’s Rezekne municipality on 7 September 2024, the Ministry of Defence announced, LETA reports. The unmanned aerial vehicle flew from neighbouring Belarus. The Latvian National Armed Forces (NBS) detected the arrival of the drone into Latvian airspace, monitored its movement, and determined the location of its fall. Initial information…
The Latvian National Armed Forces (NBS) will hold a comprehensive national defence exercise, Namejs 2024, throughout Latvia from 3 September to 8 October 2024, LSM reports. The exercise will involve soldiers from all NBS units, including conscripts, reserve soldiers, and allied troops from several NATO countries. Around 11,000 Latvian and allied soldiers and Latvian National…
Latvians are very enthusiastic to take part in national defence, the commander of the Latvian National Armed Forces (NBS), Lieutenent General Leonids Kalnins, stated, LETA reports. Speaking in an interview with LTV, Kalnins said that the public had shown “enormous interest” in the recently announced open application for basic military training for reservists. Also, interest…
The Latvian language expert commission of the State Language Centre (VVC) has rejected a proposal to allow the lowercase spelling of “Russia,” LETA reports. The experts noted that the lowercase spelling was acceptable in informal individual correspondence but not in official communication. Meanwhile, the Latvian National Armed Forces (NBS) continues to spell “russia” in lowercase….
The Latvian government has appointed Brigadier General Georgs Kerlins as the new Chief of the Joint Staff of the Latvian National Armed Forces (NBS), LETA reports. Kerlins will take up the post on 1 August 2024, replacing Major General Andis Dilans. Kerlins has served in the NBS since 1992, currently as Latvia’s military representative at…
Latvian Defence Minister Andris Spruds has welcomed the NATO Baltic Air Policing mission to Latvia in a ceremony at the Lielvarde Air Base of the Latvian National Armed Forces (NBS), LSM reports. Latvia will host the mission for the next nine months during major reconstruction at Estonia’s Ämari Air Base. The mission’s other base at…
Building unified Baltic defence infrastructure should be coordinated with Finnish and Polish military experts, Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics stated, LETA reports. Baltic cooperation with Finland and Poland was necessary to create an effective defence mechanism, he said. At the same time, Rinkevics reminded that Latvia was part of NATO’s defence planning. He discussed the issue…
Latvia will gradually assume responsibility for NATO’s Baltic air policing mission due to ongoing repairs at the Estonian Air Force base in Ämari, LETA reports. The Latvian National Armed Forces (NBS) air base in Lielvarde will host the mission for nine months from 1 March 2024. This is the first time that the mission rotation…