Increasing the number of defense personnel from 31 000 to 38 000 is a realistic goal, though achievable only over a longer period, said Liene Gātere, Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Defense, in an interview on LTV’s “Rīta panorāma” on Tuesday.
President Edgars Rinkēvičs has emphasized the importance of increasing human resources within the National Armed Forces (NAF), including the professional military, the State Defense Service, and the Latvian National Guard, to ensure effective defense capabilities and reach a combined total of 38 000 personnel.
Gātere acknowledged that the target is attainable, but not immediately—it will require time.
In the near term, the number of professional soldiers in the NAF will be increased by 500. The goal is supported by the recently introduced State Defense Service, as many individuals choose to remain in the professional military after completing it, she noted.
Regarding increased defense funding, Gātere admitted that the most uncertain aspect currently is identifying the sources of financing—specifically how much additional funding will be available next year and which areas of defense capability should be prioritized for investment.