Government supports acquisition of Naval Strike Missile anti-ship missile systems

On Tuesday, 2 May, Cabinet of Ministers approved purchase of Naval Strike Missile systems. 

‘These anti-ship missile systems will bring our army’s defence capabilities to a new level. We will get greater firepower and range for hitting targets. These systems will significantly boost our coastal defence,’ Defence Minister Ināra Mūrniece underlined. 

USA has agreed to provide significant financial support in acquisition of missile systems. Naval Strike Missile systems will form new capability for National Armed Forces and US will also help Latvia train troops how to use and maintain the equipment. 

Naval Strike Missile is a very flexible anti-ship missile system that can hit naval and land-based targets anywhere in the range of 185 km. These systems are also used by allies like the US, Poland, Germany, Norway, Romania, Great Britain, Canada and the Netherlands.

It is envisaged that Naval Strike Missile systems will start arriving in Latvia post-2025. 

As reported earlier, in April 2022 Saeima (Parliament of Latvia) amended the defence funding law, providing gradual increase of national defence spending to 2.5% of the gross domestic product by 2025, based on GDP projections for the respective year. Missile programme of the National Armed Forces also prioritises the following priorities: naval strike systems, medium-range air defence and rocket artillery  systems. Compared to previous plans, additional allocation of budget funds will speed up implementation of National Armed Force critical capability plans by five years.
 

Contact information:
Roberts Skraučs
Head of the Media Relations Section
Military Public Affairs Department
Tel.: 67335393
E-mail: roberts.skraucs@mod.gov.lv