Latvia's defense concept is based upon the Swedish-Finnish model of a rapid response force composed of a mobilization base and a small group of career professionals. The armed forces consists of mobile riflemen, an air force, and a navy. The army, navy, and air force comprise 5,864 personnel. The "zemessardze," or home guard, is an autonomous 13,890 man-strong volunteer paramilitary organization which also performs traditional national guard duties. There is a mandatory one-year draft period of active duty, and alternative conscription for conscientious objectors is available. Defense spending has risen in recent years, and in 2000 comprised 3.5% of budget spending.
Latvia cooperates with Estonia and Lithuania in the joint infantry battalion BALTBAT and naval squadron BALTRON which are available for peacekeeping operations.
Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower - availability:
males age 15-49:
590,236 (2000 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service:
males age 15-49:
463,254 (2000 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually:
males:
18,239 (2000 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure: $60 million (FY99)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 0.9% (FY99)
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2 Latvian Army 3 Latvian Navy 4 Latvian Air Force |
Equipment:
Organisation
Latvian Army
The Army has 2134 personnel including 305 civilians. It regular component of the Army consists of the LATBAT light infantry battalion and training centers. The reserve component consists of the National Guard and is made up of 32 light infantry battalions.Latvian Navy
The Navy has 797 personnel and consists of a combat ship flotilla in Liepaja and a coast guard flotilla in Riga.
Latvian Air Force
The Air Force has 247 personnel and operates three Mi-2s and two Mi-8s.