Latvian Land Forces

The Latvian Land Forces (Latvian: Sauszemes spēki, SzS) together with the Latvian National Guard form the land warfare branch of the Latvian National Armed Forces. Since 2007, land forces are organized as a fully professional standing army.

Latvian Land Forces
Sauszemes spēki
Emblem of the Latvian Land Forces
Active1918–1940, 1991–present
CountryLatvia
TypeArmy
RoleLand warfare
Size6,700 personnel[1]
Part ofLatvian National Armed Forces
Motto(s)Vienotībā spēks
(English: "Power in unity")[2]
Anniversaries30 April (Land Forces Day)
4 May (Independence Restoration and Armed Forces Day)
Engagements
Commanders
CommanderColonel Sandris Gaugers[3]

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
Latvian military units and bases[4]
Note: "Special Tasks Unit" is a special forces unit of battalion size.
Structure of the Latvian Armed Forces, 2019
  • Mechanized Infantry Brigade[5]
    • Headquarters
    • Headquarters and Signal Company
    • 1st Mechanized Infantry Battalion (LATBAT)[6]
      • Headquarters and Support Company
      • 1st Mechanized Infantry Company
      • 2nd Mechanized Infantry Company
      • 3rd Mechanized Infantry Company
      • Combat Service Support Company
    • 2nd Mechanized Infantry Battalion
      • Headquarters and Support Company
      • 1st Mechanized Infantry Company
      • 2nd Mechanized Infantry Company
      • 3rd Mechanized Infantry Company
      • Combat Service Support Company
    • 3rd Infantry Battalion (trains active service soldiers, national guardsmen and reserve soldiers)
      • Headquarters and Support Company
      • 1st Infantry Company
      • 2nd Infantry Company
      • 3rd Infantry Company
      • Combat Service Support Company
    • Artillery Unit (M109A5Ö howitzers)
    • Combat Support Battalion
      • Staff and Signal Company
      • Anti-tank Company (Spike-LR missiles)
      • Fire Support Company
      • Engineer Company
      • Military Intelligence Company
      • Forward Air Control Unit
    • Combat Service Support Battalion
      • Staff and Signal Company
      • Supply and Transport Company
      • Technical Support and Maintenance Company
      • Medical Company

Cooperation
Latvian, US, and Afghan soldiers on patrol in Afghanistan

Since 1996 till today 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.[7] Starting from January 1, 2015, Latvian Armed Forces are taking part in EU's Nordic Battle Group.[8][9] On March 29, 2004, Latvia became a full member of NATO.[10]

Equipment
Main article: List of equipment of the Latvian Land Forces

Rank structure[11]

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.

Officers of the Latvian Army
Flag Officers Senior Officers Junior Officers
Rank insignia
Rank Lieutenant General
Ģenerālleitnants		 Major General
Ģenerālmajors		 Brigadier General
Brigādes Ģenerālis		 Colonel
Pulkvedis		 Lieutenant Colonel
Pulkvežleitnants		 Major
Majors		 Captain
Kapteinis		 First Lieutenant
Virsleitnants		 Second Lieutenant
Leitnants
NATO Rank Grade OF-8 OF-7 OF-6 OF-5 OF-4 OF-3 OF-2 OF-1
Non-Commissioned Officers of the Latvian army
General NCOs Senior NCOs Junior NCOs Privates
Rank insignia
Rank Senior Warrant Officer
Augstākais virsseržants		 Warrant Officer
Galvenais virsseržants		 Senior Sergeant
Štāba virsseržants		 Sergeant First Class
Virsseržants		 Sergeant
Seržants		 Corporal
Kaprālis		 Private First Class
Dižkareivis		 Private
Kareivis
NATO Rank Grade OR-9 OR-8 OR-7 OR-6 OR-5 OR-4 OR-3 OR-2

References
  1. |url=https://www.mil.lv/lv/par-mums
  2. "Simbolika". Nacionālie bruņotie spēki. Archived from the original on 1 October 2015. Retrieved 30 September 2015.
  3. "Nacionālie bruņotie spēki". Retrieved 8 June 2019.
  4. Jane's World Armies Issue 23 - 2008
  5. "Mechanized Infantry Brigade". Latvian Army. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
  6. "1. mehanizētā kājnieku bataljona vēsture | Nacionālie bruņotie spēki". www.mil.lv (in Latvian). Retrieved 2023-05-10.
  7. "Nacionālie bruņotie spēki". Archived from the original on 31 December 2014. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  8. "Nordic battlegroup - Swedish Armed Forces". Archived from the original on 2015-03-20. Retrieved 2015-02-25.
  9. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-12-23. Retrieved 2015-02-20.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  10. "Member countries". Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  11. "Latvia Latvian Army ranks military combat field uniforms dress grades uniformes combat armee lettone - Army Recognition - Army Recognition". Retrieved 24 December 2014.
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