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Latvian Land Forces

{{Expand language|topic=|langcode=lv|otherarticle=Latvijas Sauszemes spēki|date=March 2025}}

{{Infobox military unit

| unit_name = Latvian Land Forces

| native_name = Sauszemes spēki

| image = Latvian Land Forces logo.png

| image_size = 200px

| caption = Emblem of the Latvian Land Forces HQ

| dates = 1918–1940, 1991–present

| country = Latvia

| type = Army

| role = Land warfare

| size = 7,870 Professional soldiers
10,000 National Guard
38,000 Reserve|url=https://www.mil.lv/lv/par-mums

| command_structure = Latvian National Armed Forces

| patron =

| motto = Vienotībā spēks
{{small|(English: "Power in unity")}}{{cite web|url=http://www.mil.lv/Vienibas/Kajnieku_brigade/Par_mums/Simbolika.aspx|title=Simbolika|publisher=Nacionālie bruņotie spēki|access-date=30 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151001004121/http://www.mil.lv/Vienibas/Kajnieku_brigade/Par_mums/Simbolika.aspx|archive-date=1 October 2015|url-status=dead}}

| equipment =

| equipment_label =

| battles = *War of Independence

| anniversaries = 30 April {{small|(Land Forces Day)}}
4 May {{small|(Independence Restoration and Armed Forces Day)}}

| decorations =

| battle_honours =

| commander1 = Colonel Oskars Kudlis{{cite web|url=https://www.mil.lv/en/node/3614|title=Nacionālie bruņotie spēki|access-date=22 August 2024}}

| commander1_label = Commander of the HQ

}}

The Latvian Land Forces ({{langx|lv|Sauszemes spēki, SzS}}) together with the Latvian National Guard form the land warfare branch of the Latvian National Armed Forces. From 2007 to 2024, the Land Forces were organized as a fully professional standing army until the re-introduction of conscription.

Mission

The main missions of the national Land Forces are to:

  • Provide for the defense of all national territories;
  • Ensure combat readiness and the mobilization of units;
  • Dispose of explosive ordnance;
  • Provide public assistance.

Structure

{{Location map many | Latvia

|float = right

|width=306

|caption =

Latvian military units and basesJane's World Armies Issue 23 - 2008
Note: "Special Tasks Unit" is a special forces unit of battalion size.

|label=Infantry Brig

|pos=right

|bg=white

|lat_deg=57 | lat_min= 04

|lon_deg=24 | lon_min= 20

|mark=Red pog.svg

|label2=Spec.
Tasks
Unit

|pos2=left

|bg2=white

|lat2_deg=56 | lat2_min= 57

|lon2_deg=24 | lon2_min= 06

|mark2=SpringGreen pog.svg

|label3=Lielvārde Air Base

|pos3=below

|bg3=white

|lat3_deg=56 | lat3_min= 43

|lon3_deg=24 | lon3_min= 48

|mark3=Gfi-set01-airport.png

|mark3size = 12

|label4=Navy HQ

|pos4=right

|bg4=white

|lat4_deg=56 | lat4_min= 31

|lon4_deg=21 | lon4_min= 01

|mark4=Anchor pictogram red.svg

|mark4size = 18

|label5=Coastal Defence Bn

|pos5=bottom

|bg5=white

|lat5_deg=57 | lat5_min= 23

|lon5_deg=21 | lon5_min= 33

|mark5=Turquoise pog.svg

}}

File:Latvia Armed Forces 2019.png

  • 30px Land Forces Mechanized Infantry Brigade{{cite web |title=Mechanized Infantry Brigade |url=https://www.mil.lv/lv/vienibas/sauszemes-speku-mehanizeta-kajnieku-brigade |publisher=Latvian Army |access-date=29 October 2019}}
  • 30px Headquarters (SzS KBde)
  • 30px Headquarters and Signal Company (SzS KBde Štāba un sakaru rota)
  • 20px 1st Mechanized Infantry Battalion (LATBAT, 1. MKB){{Cite web |title=1. mehanizētā kājnieku bataljona vēsture {{!}} Nacionālie bruņotie spēki |url=https://www.mil.lv/lv/vienibas/sauszemes-speku-mehanizeta-kajnieku-brigade/1-mehanizetais-kajnieku-bataljons/1-1 |access-date=2023-05-10 |website=www.mil.lv |language=lv}}
  • Headquarters and Support Company
  • 1st Mechanized Infantry Company
  • 2nd Mechanized Infantry Company
  • 3rd Mechanized Infantry Company
  • Combat Service Support Company
  • 21px 2nd Mechanized Infantry Battalion (2. MKB)
  • Headquarters and Support Company
  • 1st Mechanized Infantry Company
  • 2nd Mechanized Infantry Company
  • 3rd Mechanized Infantry Company
  • Combat Service Support Company
  • 21px 3rd Infantry Battalion (trains active service soldiers, national guardsmen and reserve soldiers, 3. KB)
  • Headquarters and Support Company
  • 1st Infantry Company
  • 2nd Infantry Company
  • 3rd Infantry Company
  • Combat Service Support Company
  • 20px Artillery Unit (M109A5Ö howitzers, Artilērijas divizions)
  • 20px Combat Support Battalion (KAB)
  • Staff and Signal Company
  • Anti-tank Company (Spike-LR missiles)
  • Fire Support Company
  • Engineer Company
  • Military Intelligence Company
  • Forward Air Control Unit
  • 21px Combat Service Support Battalion (KNB)
  • Staff and Signal Company
  • Supply and Transport Company
  • Technical Support and Maintenance Company
  • Medical Company

Cooperation

File:Michigan Latvia 01.jpg]]

Since 1996 the National Armed Forces' soldiers have been deployed on nine international peace-keeping missions in Afghanistan, Albania, Bosnia, Central African Republic, Georgia, Iraq, Kosovo, North Macedonia and Somalia.{{cite web|url=http://www.mil.lv/Operacijas.aspx|title=Nacionālie bruņotie spēki|access-date=24 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141231023656/http://www.mil.lv/Operacijas.aspx|archive-date=31 December 2014|url-status=dead}} Starting from January 1, 2015, Latvian Armed Forces are taking part in EU's Nordic Battle Group.{{cite web |url=http://www.forsvarsmakten.se/en/about/our-mission-in-sweden-and-abroad/international-activities-and-operations/nordic-battle-group |title=Nordic battlegroup - Swedish Armed Forces |access-date=2015-02-25 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150320002205/http://www.forsvarsmakten.se/en/about/our-mission-in-sweden-and-abroad/international-activities-and-operations/nordic-battle-group/ |archive-date=2015-03-20 }}{{Cite web |url=http://www.forsvarsmakten.se/siteassets/english/nbg15---eng/14mar_-fcdr_master-f.pdf#page=13 |title=Archived copy |access-date=2015-02-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141223180855/http://www.forsvarsmakten.se/siteassets/english/nbg15---eng/14mar_-fcdr_master-f.pdf#page=13 |archive-date=2014-12-23 |url-status=dead }} On March 29, 2004, Latvia became a full member of NATO.{{cite web|url=http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/topics_52044.htm|title=Member countries|access-date=24 December 2014}}

Equipment

{{Main|List of equipment of the Latvian Land Forces}}

Rank structure

{{main|Military ranks of Latvia}}

The rank structure of the Latvian army is adjusted to the rank structure of the NATO countries in Europe. Rank insignia are worn historically on the collars and today also on shoulder marks. Starting 2016, only the Staff Battalion wears the collar insignia.

=Commissioned officer ranks=

The following are the current insignia of commissioned officers.

style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;"

{{Ranks and Insignia of NATO Armed Forces/OF/Blank}}

{{Ranks and Insignia of NATO Armies/OF/Latvia}}

=Other ranks=

The rank insignia of non-commissioned officers and enlisted personnel.

style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;"

{{Ranks and Insignia of NATO Armies/OR/Blank}}

{{Ranks and Insignia of NATO Armies/OR/Latvia}}

References

External links

  • [http://www.mod.gov.lv Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Latvia]
  • [http://www.nato.int/pfp/lv/latvia.htm Mission of Latvia to NATO]

{{Military of Latvia}}

{{Armies in Europe}}

{{Military equipment of Europe}}

{{Allied Land Command}}

Category:Military of Latvia

Category:Military units and formations established in 1918

Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 1940

Category:Military units and formations established in 1991

Category:1991 establishments in Latvia