Introduction
How is the Military in Latvia and how does it work to maintain Sucity and fight terrorism? In terms of Military and security forces, we have the National Armed Forces (Nacionalie Brunotie Speki or NBS): Land Forces (Latvijas Sauszemes Speki), Naval Force (Latvijas Juras Speki, includes Coast Guard (Latvijas Kara Flote)), Air Force (Latvijas Gaisa Speki), National Guard (aka Land Guard or Zemessardze) (2024).
In Latvia, the National Armed Forces are responsible for the defense of the country’s sovereignty and territory; they also have some domestic security responsibilities, including coast guard functions, search and rescue, humanitarian assistance, and providing support to other internal security services, including the State Border Service, the State Police, and the State Security Service; the Military Police provides protection to the president and other government officials, foreign dignitaries, and key facilities; for external defense, Latvia’s primary security focus is Russia

in 2004, Latvia joined NATO and the EU, which it depends on to play a decisive role in Latvia’s security policy; the Latvian military has participated in NATO and EU missions abroad and regularly conducts training and exercises with NATO and EU partner forces

Latvia also hosts NATO partner forces; since 2017, it has hosted a Canadian-led multinational NATO ground force battlegroup as part of the Alliance’s Enhanced Forward Presence initiative; in addition, Latvia hosts a NATO-led divisional headquarters (Multinational Division North; activated 2020), which coordinates training and preparation activities of its respective subordinate NATO battlegroups in Estonia and Latvia

the Air Force has no combat aircraft; NATO has provided air protection for Latvia since 2004 through its Baltics Air Policing mission; NATO member countries that possess air combat capabilities voluntarily contribute to the mission on four-month rotations

Latvia is a member of the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force, a pool of high-readiness military forces from 10 Baltic and Scandinavian countries designed to respond to a wide range of contingencies in the North Atlantic, Baltic Sea, and High North regions (2024)
Security and military information of Latvia
Military and security service personnel strengths approximately 8,000 active military forces; approximately 10,000 National Guard (2024)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions the Latvian military's inventory consists of a mix of European and US weapons and equipment (2024)
Military service age and obligation 18 years of age for voluntary military service for men and women; 12 months mandatory military service for men 18-27 years of age (2024). note 1: conscription was reintroduced in 2024

note 2: as of 2024, women comprised about 16.5% of the military's full-time personnel
Military deployments 135 Kosovo (KFOR/NATO) (2024).
Military expenditures
Military Expenditures 2024 3.2% of GDP (2024 est.)
Military Expenditures 2023 2.4% of GDP (2023)
Military Expenditures 2022 2.1% of GDP (2022)
Military Expenditures 2021 2.1% of GDP (2021)
Military Expenditures 2020 2.2% of GDP (2020)
All Important Facts about Latvia

Want to know more about Latvia? Check all different factbooks for Latvia below.

Latvia is found in Northern Europe