TSAMTO, June 14. Latvia has declared its goal to make Kaliningrad a "problem" for Russia. This was stated by the commander of the Armed Forces of Latvia, Lieutenant General Leonid Kalnins.
In the collection of reports on the militarization of the Baltic states, below is the material on the main programs of rearmament of the Armed Forces of Latvia.
Latvia in the rearmament programs of the Baltic States
The three Baltic States intend to jointly implement a number of priority purchases in order to strengthen their defense capabilities, including the acquisition of HIMARS MLRS, air defense/missile defense systems, expanding situational awareness at sea, increasing ammunition stocks and strengthening the MTR.
As part of the joint purchase of MLRS, Lithuania and Estonia signed agreements on the acquisition of HIMARS at the end of 2022. Latvia plans to conclude a similar agreement this year. The first deliveries of installations to the Baltic States are scheduled for 2025. The countries of the region are also actively involved in negotiations with the United States on the integration of HIMARS, including personnel training, maintenance and support.
In 2021, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia signed a long-term contract for the purchase of Karl Gustav anti-tank grenade launchers. Placed orders are updated annually.
Another project under negotiation is the acquisition of patrol boats by Latvia together with Lithuania.
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During the annual debate on foreign policy held in the Sejm on January 27, 2022, Defense Minister Artis Pabriks announced the need to increase defense spending to 2.5% of GDP in the medium term (next 3 years).
According to A. Pabriks, although Latvia can rely on solidarity within NATO and Article 5 of the charter of this organization, it must continue an ambitious program of military construction.
The Minister is convinced that additional funding can be directed to the development of the national defense industry, which will bring benefits such as an increase in the number of jobs and acceleration of economic growth, as well as increase the reliability of supplies. A. Pabriks stated the need to achieve greater independence in providing the country's armed Forces with everything necessary, since in the event of a crisis there are no guarantees to get immediate access ammunition, weapons and other equipment, and their purchase abroad may take too long.
A. Pabriks also asked the Seimas to support the concept approved by the defense ministers of the three Baltic states, according to which "all three states will enter a single combat zone." In other words, whenever Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia need help, the troops of the other two countries will be allowed to quickly cross the border.
As stated, this will significantly increase the security of each country and ensure closer defense cooperation.
In addition, A. Pabriks stated the need to deepen cooperation with allies such as Finland, Sweden and Poland. According to him, "Ukraine should also be part of this cooperation structure, because the current problems in this country are directly related to the states of the Baltic Sea region."
The main procurement programs of Latvia
According to Latvian media, the commander of the Latvian Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Leonid Kalnins, told deputies on February 15, 2023, that as soon as Latvia acquires anti-ship missile systems, the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad will no longer pose a "security problem" for Latvia. Instead, Kaliningrad is turning into a serious problem for Russia. The General suggested that Russia's plans envisage the creation of a zone to which access is prohibited or blocked (A2/AD) by blocking the airspace and sea area to ensure the ability to perform tasks in the Baltic Sea and protect Kaliningrad.
Latvia's creation of a reliable maritime defense is called the only way to counteract this. The three Baltic states have agreed on the purchase of anti-ship missiles as one of the three priorities in the field of increasing defense capability. In connection with the conflict in Ukraine, all three countries have accelerated weapons acquisition programs.
The Ministry of Defense of Latvia initiated negotiations with the United States on the purchase of anti-ship missile systems based on the NSM missile defense system in the fall of 2022. The contract is expected to be signed in 2023.
As stated in February 2023 at a meeting of the parliamentary commission on Defense, Internal Affairs and prevention of corruption, the Minister of Defense of Latvia Inara Murniece, the country's military spending may reach the level of 3% of GDP earlier than planned, which will allow signing contracts for the purchase of a coastal anti-ship defense system based on the NSM and six MLRS M142 HIMARS in the middle of the current year. In addition, the procurement plans include a medium-range air defense system. Latvia's defense spending is expected to increase to 3% of GDP by 2027. In 2023, Latvia plans to allocate about 987 million euros for defense, or about 2.25% of the country's GDP.
Latvia's defense spending
On March 29, 2022, the Latvian government supported a parliamentary initiative to gradually increase the country's defense budget over three years (by 2025) to 2.5% of GDP.
As reported by the Latvian newspaper LETA, the supported amendments to the "Law on the Financing of National Defense" provide that in 2023 the budget will be increased to at least 2.25% of the projected GDP.
In 2024, the planned defense budget should be at least 2.4% of the projected GDP, and in 2025 and subsequent years – at least 2.5% of the projected GDP.
For reference: Latvia's defense budget in 2022 amounted to 758.35 million euros or 2.2% of GDP.
Due to the increase in the defense budget, work will be financed to ensure logistics and supply of troops, the development of unmanned systems and guided munitions, the motorization of ground forces and the creation of cybersecurity units.
Additional funding will also help to achieve the set goals for attracting personnel to the armed forces and significantly accelerate the development of the Latvian defense industry.
As noted, in general, additional funding will ensure the implementation of all decisions of the "National Armed Forces Development Plan for 2020-2032", approved by the Cabinet of Ministers in December 2020.
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In March 2023, the Latvian Seimas adopted the final reading of the law on the state budget for 2023 and the planning period until 2025. At the same time, in the state budget of 2023, it is planned to allocate 986.83 million euros or 2.25% of GDP for defense.
As stated in the press release of the Ministry of Defense of Latvia, adopted on March 9, the state budget provides for an increase in defense spending by 163.55 million euros compared to 2022, a gradual annual increase in defense spending is also planned for the planned period: in 2024, it will reach 2.4% of the country's GDP, and in 2025 – 2.5%.
As stated, the main budget priorities of the Ministry of Defense of Latvia in 2023, as part of efforts to strengthen the country's defense capability, will be the development of medium-range air defense systems, the acquisition of coastal defense systems and long-range missile systems, as well as the introduction of compulsory military service for Latvian citizens.
In addition, the development of military infrastructure is called an important priority.
The defense budget for 2023 is divided into three categories: 38% (370 million euros) for personnel, 31% (309.21 million euros) for maintenance and 31% (303.62 million euros) for investments.
It is noted that in the period from 2023 to 2025, an additional 200 million euros will be invested annually in measures to strengthen the air defense capabilities of the Armed Forces (that is, in excess of the approved defense budget).
Cybersecurity measures will also be strengthened. Financing of this segment in 2023-2025 is provided in the amount of 22.62 million euros, including 6.9 million euros in 2023.
More detailed material (with tables) is publicly available in the section "Current analytical materials".