Selonia Military Training Area 

Intensity of military exercise in Latvia has increased since Russian aggression against Ukraine in 2014 and deployment of additional allied forces to Latvia. Therefore, Ministry of Defence (MoD) has been systematically developing and expanding its training infrastructure all over Latvia to help National Armed Forces (NAF) and allied troops enhance their diverse skills. Camp Ādaži has been the biggest training area in the Baltics for almost nine decades. It was expanded in 2017. In parallel, MoD continued to develop other training grounds such as ‘Lāčusils’, a training centre in Alūksne region, or ‘Mežaine’ near Skrunda and ‘Meža Mackeviči’ in Augšdaugava region. All military camps are routinely engaged during training of NAF troops and National Guard. Allied troops also take part in such exercise to be ready to defend Latvia and every inch of our land whenever necessary.

According to definition of Ministry of Defence, one of Latvia’s national defence priorities is to support NATO enhanced Forward Presence (eFP) Battle Group in Latvia. This is achieved through efficient host nation support framework and Latvia’s commitments to other Allies. To accommodate the training needs of a growing force, which will consist of additional allied troops deployed to Baltics based on decisions of the Madrid Summit and strong defence sector NAF personnel recruitment ambitions, Latvia will need to develop a new training centre. Moreover, several Allies have pledged their commitment to Latvia’s security after Russia’s unprovoked aggression against Ukraine on 24 February and additional troops and military equipment has been provided, thus placing increasing demands on the existing military infrastructure. USA, Canada, Denmark and Spain have already deployed additional troops to Latvia this year. Arriving units are integrated in daily exercise routine of NAF and NATO Multinational Battle Group Latvia to enhance their capabilities.

After careful assessment of potential training ground locations, Ministry of Defence and NAF have selected the area surrounding Aizkraukle and Jēkabpils regions.

On June 22, 2023, the Saeima adopted the law on the creation of the Selonia Military Training Area in the second - final - reading, establishing the prerequisites for the creation of a new Military Training Area in the territories of Jēkabpils and Aizkraukles counties.

The Ministry of Defence plans to take over land with a total area of 25596* ha for the development of the Selonia Military Training Area (updated, including:

1. 1001 ha of land owned by private individuals;
2. 24595 ha of land owned by public persons (state, municipality).

The process of infrastructure creation and disposal is organised in phases. The first phase is currently underway and covers approximately 61% of the total landfill area. The first phase includes:

1. the alienation of 14 privately owned properties with a total area of 160 ha, representing approximately 16% of the total area to be disposed of;
2. the transfer of 11 state properties with a total area of 15 430 ha held by the Ministry of Agriculture to the Ministry of Defence, representing approximately 63% of the total land to be transferred from public entities.

Since 2023, 7 private properties with a total area of 120 ha, or 75% of the first round of private properties, have been transferred to the Ministry of Defence. The remaining 7 private properties are in various stages of the alienation process.

A draft of a Cabinet of Ministers' Decree has been prepared in order to transfer of 11 state properties held by the Ministry of Agriculture to the Ministry of Defence. An agreement has also been concluded with JSC "Latvijas valsts meži" for the use of land units necessary for the construction of the first phase of the Selonia Military Training Area in 2023 until the Ministry of Defence claims their ownership. Currently the Ministry of Defence has in its disposal 99.7 % of the total area planned for the first phase.

As part of the development of the Selonia Military Training Area, the State Centre for Defence Military Sites and Procurement has started the implementation of the Phase 1 plan for the infrastructure of the training area. The development of construction plans for the unexploded ordnance area, ammunition storage area, firing ranges, site development meta, and other construction projects have started and 4 construction contracts have been concluded.

The first phase started in 2023 and is expected to be completed by 2025.

Meanwhile, work is underway to define the construction plan and technical requirements for the second phase. The main planned facilities for the second phase of the Military Training Area will be:

• Manoeuvring corridor;
• Warehouses;
• Barracks;
• Canteen;
• Medical Centre;
• Other supporting infrastructure.

The second phase of the project is expected to be implemented between 2025 and 2030.

Upon completion of the second phase of the Selonia Military Training Area, it will be able to host and train brigade-level NATO Allied Forces military units, as well as national defence service units and other NAF units.

*Area indicated according to the current stage of acquisition and alienation of property.

New military training facility will boost regional growth and fuel the local economies of Aizkraukle un Jēkabpils regions. This will also trigger influx of people, infrastructure upgrades and jobs creation. For example, development of Camp Ādaži and its training centre has been very positive for local businesses.

Local producers and services are providing military with everything it needs, including catering, physical health, entertainment, beauty care and other services. According to Ādaži business owners, allied troops helped them survive the Covid-19 crisis as their share in local consumption amounts to 30%.  Growth in the region and investments in public infrastructure have also pushed real estate value around Ādaži way up.
Local residents will have the opportunity to join military and serve near their home if they want to learn military craft and defend themselves, their relatives, homes and region in case of threats.

It is envisaged that new military training area will also cover territory rich in natural habitats and birds of various species. National Armed Forces are fully committed to all applicable environmental restrictions and ready to treat environment with utmost care. Selonia military training area and noise from its shooting range will not endanger protected bird species or their nesting grounds located in the micro-reserve. Neither environment nor any other natural resources will be harmed. All activities conducted in the military area will comply with requirements of law regarding buffer zones.

Camp Ādaži is a good example of how military camp can coincide with nature. Regular supervised military exercise is a lot less harmful to rare and protected species than intensive farming. Camp Ādaži is both training area of the National Armed Forces and also a NATURA 2000 site, a part of network of nature protection areas in the territory of the European Union that is comprised of Europe’s most valuable natural assets. Other European military camps are also listed as specially protected NATURA 2000 sites because of biological disturbances that create unique patches of habitats that can rarely be encountered anywhere else as a result of intensive military exercise. Environmental protection plans of military camps also pay special attention to spaces between buildings to create natural ‘islands’ or ‘pockets’ that animals and plants can inhabit.

In its daily activities, defence staff will aspire to create as less disturbance for the local community as possible, while also encouraging local residents to treat national defence needs with proper respect and understanding. Farming near the base will not be restricted. National Armed Forces are not intending to limit traffic on regional or state roads. However, some temporary restrictions may be introduced during specific training operations and local communities will be notified duly.

Ministry of Defence will extend the existing agreements with hunting associations and hunting will be allowed in future. Hunting sessions will have to be approved by National Armed Forces and hunters will have to follow special safety instructions for training area.