Main priority of Defence Minister Ināra Mūrniece in the first 100 days in office: stronger defence capabilities for Latvia

On Thursday, 23 March, Ināra Mūrniece will mark her first 100 days in the office of defence minister.

One of Ināra Mūrniece’s key priorities as the defence minister, which receives most of Minister’s focus, is strengthening of Latvia’s national defence capabilities and speeding up of existing capability development plans.

Additional allocation from 2023 government budget will be invested in early delivery of on-going NAF priority capability development projects and bolstering of missing capabilities. Increased funding will primarily be spent on development of air defence capabilities. Extra funding will allow to speed up the implementation of Selonia Training Area, which will be used to train Latvian army troops and enhance allied presence in Latvia as it will be able to accommodate increased number of allied troops and military equipment. 2023 defence budget will reach 2,25% of Latvia’s gross domestic product.

‘Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has fundamentally changed Europe’s security landscape. The effects will be felt long-term. There are no reasons to believe that Russia’s political ambitions and behaviour could change. To deter potential aggressors and defend ourselves, we must do everything we can to strengthen and develop our defence and military capabilities. We must do it now,’ Minister Mūrniece says.

First 100 days in office were also spent fine-tuning the State Defence Service (SDS) bill. It now is more precise, clear and aligned with defence sector needs. There will be two types of SDS: military service and civilian service in one of the Ministry of Defence units in some, exceptional cases. Bill has already gone through two readings in the parliament, Saeima. It is expected that it will be adopted in the third and final reading before Easter. Once adopted, law will require volunteer recruits to start their 11-month state defence service already in July. First recruits will undergo basic training at the Land Forces Mechanised Infantry Brigade base in Ādaži and Infantry School in Alūksne. Recruits drafted later will also be offered to serve in the Navy or join the Air Force. 

Ministry of Defence has also embarked on a major review of National Defence Strategy, which defines Latvia’s strategic defence objectives and main elements of it, as well as projects that need to be fast-tracked. This decision is largely driven by tectonic shifts in the European security environment. Other factors include lessons learned and advice from Ukrainian Armed Forces as it continues to defence against full-scale Russian invasion.

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