Russia’s invasion of Ukraine confirms the need for Latvia to continue to improve detailed national defense plans and introduce modern armaments, Colonel Didzis Nestro, Deputy Chief of Operational Affairs of the National Armed Forces (NAF), told LETA.
–
The war in Ukraine clearly states that the country must have a national defense plan prepared and tested in training, which has been developed down to the smallest detail and is understood at all levels, said the NAF colonel. It is important that in the event of a surprise attack, the commander of each unit knows what to do, even in a situation where it is not possible to obtain superior command.
In Latvia, the national defense plan and the national defense operational plan are regularly reviewed and improved. The National Defense Plan envisages tasks for all public administration institutions, but the National Defense Operational Plan envisages tasks for the NAF and other security institutions.
Nestro also reminded of the need for Latvia to continue to move towards the principles of comprehensive national defense and to introduce modern armaments.
“We see that aid is being sent to Ukraine from the West at the start of the war, but the consumption of ammunition and other munitions is huge. For example, one anti-tank weapon, Javelin, costs $ 80,000. The cost of such weapons and ammunition is high, but they must be and their stocks must be secured in good time, “Nestro said.
It has already been reported that Russian troops invaded Ukraine on February 24 at the behest of Russian President Vladimir Putin, firing not only at military facilities but also at civilian infrastructure and civilians. Ukrainian soldiers and the population are strongly opposed to the invaders.
On Tuesday, the Latvian government conceptually decided to increase Latvia’s defense budget to 2.5% of GDP over the next three years.
After the government meeting, the Minister of Defense Artis Pabriks (AP) said that the Ministry of Defense had previously publicly expressed plans to increase the number of soldiers and develop other projects vital for national defense.
Additional resources are needed to implement this plan more quickly, rather than relying on laurels and relying solely on allies.
Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš (JV) informed the journalists that now within four weeks the participating ministries will offer a solution to increase the budget of the defense sector and strengthen the budget of the Ministry of the Interior.
The defense budget for 2022 is 758.35 million or 2.2% of the gross domestic product, and the decision made by the government envisages its gradual increase over three years, reaching 2.5% of the gross domestic product in 2025.
–
