Defense
On Monday evening, a foreign unmanned aerial vehicle approached Latvian airspace from the Russian side but then flew away, the National Armed Forces (NBS) reported.
The State Fire and Rescue Service (VUGD) has discussed with the National Armed Forces (NBS) the possibility of introducing partially automated cell broadcast alerts in Latvia, said Ivars Nakurts, deputy chief of the VUGD, on the Latvian Television programme Morning Panorama on 30th March.
The Latvian Ministry of Defence said on March 27th that Russia has launched what it described as "a large-scale, coordinated information operation" against the Baltic states about recent drone incidents – though it might just as easily have said "Russia is lying, as usual."
Due to Russia’s war against Ukraine, unidentified drones can again fly into the Baltic states, so the public must remain vigilant. This message was issued by the relevant state authorities following Wednesday’s events, when a Ukrainian drone flew in from Russia and crashed in Latvia. What should you do in the event of a drone incident?
Improving the skills of artillery and anti-tank units, strengthening cooperation, and target acquisition using unmanned aerial vehicles – all of this is being practised until April 2 at the Ādaži training range and its surroundings during the military exercise "Solar Eclipse 2026," organised by the Land Forces Mechanised Infantry Brigade, Latvian Television reported on 26th March.
It is impossible to completely seal off airspace, commented Defence Minister Andris Sprūds (Progressives) on Latvian Television (LTV) regarding the Ukrainian drone that flew in from Russia and crashed in Latvia. The minister also noted that, although Latvia has managed to improve its response capabilities in such cases, it must develop countermeasures that would allow for the interception and downing of such aircraft.
The authorities in Latvia have confirmed that a drone that crashed in the east of the country in the early hours of Wednesday, March 25th, was Ukrainian.
The Latvian Air Force has identified a foreign unmanned aerial vehicle entering Latvian airspace from Russia, according to the National Armed Forces (NBS), the Defence Ministry reports on Wednesday morning.
On Tuesday, March 24th, Latvian Minister of Defence Andris Sprūds met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during his visit to Kiev. During the meeting, the officials discussed the situation on the frontline, the military support provided by Latvia, as well as future directions of cooperation in the development of the defence industry.
On Tuesday, March 24th, the Latvian government supported the staging of a second international 'Drone Summit' in Rīga at a cost of 300,000 euros.
From March 24th to 27th, the civil-military cooperation exercise "NATRIX 2026" will be held throughout Latvia to prepare National Guards for the task of identifying and providing information about the civil environment to allied forces in situations of military threat and crisis.
To ensure an increase in defence spending to 5% of gross domestic product (GDP), significant additional state budget funding will be required in the coming years, according to the Ministry of Finance’s opinion submitted to the Saeima Budget and Finance (Tax) Committee in response to the amendment to the State Defence Financing Law proposed by President Edgars Rinkēvičs.
The Latvian Ministry of Defence has begun expropriating land from owners in the eastern border region for the creation of anti-mobility military infrastructure. The Ministry points out that the process is complicated, from the point of view of bureaucracy and land valuation. Meanwhile, border residents still have more questions than answers, despite an information campaign that was supposed to keep them informed.
From March 23rd to April 2nd, military exercise dubbed "Solar Eclipse 2026" will take place at the "Ādaži" military training ranges and adjacent territories in Saulkrasti, Sigulda and Ropaži municipalities, according to a release from Latvia's National Armed Forces (NBS).
According to the Latvian Ministry of Defence, on Monday, March 16th, Latvia, in cooperation with allied countries, submitted two initial project applications to the European Commission for funding under the European Defence of Common Interests (EDPCI) – the Eastern Border Strengthening Project and the Drone and Counter-Drone Capabilities Project.
There are currently no plans to involve Latvian forces in a possible operation to ensure free navigation in the Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf, said Latvian Defence Minister Andris Sprūds (Progressives), speaking on Latvian Radio on March 17th.
The Latvian Ministry of Defence said on March 12th it had signed a contract with manufacturer Patria for the full-cycle maintenance of its armoured personnel carriers.
From March 13th to April 13th, the Ministry of Defence has opened an additional application period for July conscription to the national defence service.
In February, the Latvian National Armed Forces (NBS) "successfully tested the Skorpion 2 remote mine-laying system in a range of conditions to improve anti-tank defence solutions and strengthen the country's deterrence capabilities," according to a release from the NBS.
From February 28th to March 1st, the National Guard's 1st Riga Brigade will conduct training in Bauska municipality.
The Prime Minsters of Poland, Latvia and Lithuania published a joint declaration on February 25th outlining their "Commitment to Cooperation" on tackling hybrid threats along their borders with Russia and Belarus.
Shortly after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Latvia decided to rapidly increase the size of its army. As a result, the State Defence Service (VAD) has been in operation since July 2023. Currently, young people are being selected for conscription in July, A third of volunteers and about half of those conscripted are usually rejected due to health conditions, according to the Latvian Television programme "De Facto" aired on 22nd February.
The opening of the live-fire training area of the new 'Sēlija' military training zone is taking place on February 20th.
The Latvian government decided on Tuesday, February 17th, to allocate 10 million euros to support Ukraine under NATO's Prioritized Ukraine Requirement List (PURL) programme, under which European countries purchase military equipment from the United States, which then delivers it to Ukraine, Prime Minister Evika Siliņa (New Unity) announced on social media.
Poland allocated 4.5% to defense, Lithuania – 4%, Latvia – 3.7%, Estonia and Norway – 3.4%, Denmark – 3.2%, and Finland and Sweden – just under 3%.
The Rīga-based NATO Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence (STRATCOMCOE) has a new report out on the subject of Russian information influence operations, produced in collaboration with the Ukrainian Centre for Strategic Communications.
At the recent Latvian Defence and Security Industry Annual Awards 2026, prizes were presented to a number of leading innovators, exporters, and researchers, reports Labs of Latvia.
On Wednesday, February 11th, NATO launched its new 'Arctic Sentry' mission to strengthen NATO's position in the Arctic and High North, while expanding the Alliance's permanent presence in the region, and on February 12th, Latvian Minister of Defence Andris Sprūds confirmed that Latvia will participate – though exactly how remains to be decided.
Latvia's State Security Service (VDD) has published its annual public overview in English of its activities in 2025, following on from a similar publication by another Latvian security service, the Constitution Protection Bureau (SAB) at the end of January, as previously reported.
On Friday, February 6th, Latvian Minister of Defence Andris Sprūds visited the Lielvārde airbase and took part in a ceremony to mark construction of a new helicopter hangar facility.
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