In the future, the defence sector needs to work on mobility, firepower, development of new technologies and logistics to reinforce national security, said Leonids Kalniņš, Commander of Latvian National Armed Forces (NBS), in an interview to LTV programme Rīta panorāma.
He said he plans to enjoy life after leaving his post.
2024 was an intense year for NBS. “I am satisfied with 2024,” said Kalniņš. According to him, it is necessary to work on four directions: mobility, firepower, new technologies, and logistics.
He said this ear and in the coming years there will be all sorts of checks to determine the capabilities of the Latvian army in various situations. The number of NATO allies stationed in Latvia, meanwhile, keeps going up.
When asked about the possibility of a Russian attack on Latvia, Kalniņš admitted that, as cynical as it may be, Latvia’s security depends, among other things, on the outcome of the war in Ukraine –
the extent to which Ukrainian soldiers will be able to complete objectives, the extent to which they will receive support from Western countries. However, even if the outcome is less favourable for Ukraine, Latvia’s security is much more protected than that of non-NATO countries, the head of the army said. Kalniņš is confident Ukraine will not give up and will fight to the last. Nevertheless peace talks are very critical.
Describing his term as the Commander of the Latvian army, Kalniņš pointed out that a number of projects were started in the National Armed Forces. The development plans of the National Armed Forces are designed so that each future head of the army follows a consistent development path of the National Armed Forces. He said he would have liked to have managed to achieve more progress in firepower, logistics, reserves, mobility within eight years, but the existing pace is an objective reason – the NBS is part of the state system and funding is also needed for other sectors.
“I am very pleased and grateful to the Latvian nation and society, which has supported the improvement of the protection system and has been involved in it by joining the National Guard and professional service,” said Kalniņš, adding that last year the NBS had a record year: 762 Latvian citizens joined the armed forces. 112 of those people came from the State Security Service. “This shows that our society is not a depressed society that does not want to protect Latvia,” said the Commander of NBS, adding that people’s interest in serving in the army is expected to go up.
After leaving his post, Kalniņš has the “best plan” in mind – to enjoy life.
As previously reported, January 2025 marks the end of the term of the Commander of Latvian National Armed Forces Leonids Kalniņš. He will be replaced by Commander of National Guard Kaspars Pudāns who will enter his new post on the 27th of January.