Mandatory service must be introduced for all Latvian male citizens between the ages of 18 and 27, the country’s Defense Ministry announced on Monday.
For the next five years, all men in this age group “will have to choose one of four types of military service: State Defense Service, National Guard, University Section Head Course, or alternative services to the Ministry of the Interior, Health or Welfare “. “, the ministry said in a press release.
Women in this age group will be offered “the same opportunities voluntarily,” the ministry said.
Defense Minister Artis Pabriks said that “the Latvian population must realize that in order to survive we simply need to increase the proportion of the population that has received military training and is ready to take part in combat. This should reduce the risk of Russia attacking Latvia at will. ”
Pabriks added that “2014 made us focus more on rearmament and better preparedness for combat of our armed forces units. These goals have been successfully achieved.”
In 2014 Russia invaded and annexed the Crimean peninsula of Ukraine.
“However, the security implications of the war between Russia and Ukraine have led to numerous new challenges,” Pabriks said. “To overcome them, we need to increase our combat capabilities and develop the army reserve.”
The Defense Minister said: “It has become clear that we have exhausted the potential for voluntary service of the National Guard and professional service, while a further increase in the number of military personnel is associated with excessive risks.”
“That is why we need to focus on increasing the number of Latvian residents able to join the defense forces in the event of a military conflict,” he added.
As part of the first phase of the project, the Latvian Ministry of Defense will offer voluntary military training to Latvian citizens aged between 18 and 27, starting in January 2023.
Registration will take place in two stages, in January and July.
The ministry estimates that during the first year, the State Defense Service will attract about 1,000 new soldiers (500 at each recruitment stage).
They will be required to serve for one year, including one month off.
The new additions will undergo a three-month basic training and a three-month specialty course, while the remaining months “will be devoted to integration into units and collective training,” the ministry said.
“All recruits will be socially protected. According to the plans, each new soldier will receive a monthly salary of up to 400 euros, free food and accommodation in the army barracks,” the ministry said.
Over the next five years, the ministry plans to increase the proportion of the combat-ready population in the National Armed Forces to 50,000 soldiers.
“Of these, 14,000 soldiers would form active duty units, while 16,000 would join the National Guard and 20,000 would form the reserve force,” the ministry said.