Latvian Land Forces
Latvian Land Forces | |
---|---|
Sauszemes spēki | |
![]() Emblem of the Latvian Land Forces | |
Active | 1918–1940, 1991–present |
Country | Latvia |
Type | Army |
Role | Land warfare |
Part of | Latvian National Armed Forces |
Motto(s) | Vienotībā spēks (English: "Power in unity")[1] |
Anniversaries | 30 April (Land Forces Day) 4 May (Independence Restoration and Armed Forces Day) |
Engagements |
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Commanders | |
Commander | Colonel [2] |
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.
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[]
Note: "Special Tasks Unit" is a special forces unit of battalion size.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0b/Latvia_Armed_Forces_2019.png/305px-Latvia_Armed_Forces_2019.png)
Mechanized Infantry Brigade[4]
Headquarters
Headquarters and Signal Company
1st Mechanized Infantry Battalion
- 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[]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b1/Michigan_Latvia_01.jpg/220px-Michigan_Latvia_01.jpg)
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, Macedonia and Somalia.[5] Starting from January 1, 2015, Latvian Armed Forces are taking part in EU's Nordic Battle Group.[6][7] On March 29, 2004, Latvia became a fully fledged member of the NATO.[8]
Equipment[]
Personal equipment[]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/93/Latvian_Army_soldier_%2817068047410%29.jpg/150px-Latvian_Army_soldier_%2817068047410%29.jpg)
The equipment of the Latvian Land Forces troops includes:
- LatPat , Multi-LatPat and WoodLatPat (Latvian digital camouflage uniform).
- Norwegian BEAR-II load bearing armor system
- Kevlar helmet
- Night vision device
Infantry weapons[]
Military vehicles[]
Name | Image | Origin | Type | Variants | Quantity | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Armoured reconnaissance vehicles | ||||||
CVR(T) | ![]() |
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Armoured reconnaissance vehicle | Scimitar Sultan Spartan Samson Samaritan |
205[18] | 116 modernized vehicles in service, plus 7 used for training. 82 additional vehicles on order - to be delivered by 2022.[19] |
Armoured personnel carriers | ||||||
Patria 6×6 | ![]() |
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Armoured personnel carrier | Patria 6×6 | 4 | Approximately 200 vehicles on order. To be delivered 2021-2029.[20][21] 4 vehicles received on 29.10.2021. |
Armoured cars | ||||||
Humvee | ![]() |
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Armoured car | M1043A2 M1113 |
30 8 |
Ten vehicles donated by the United States in 2005.[22] Possibly 28 more purchased later.[23] Some equipped with HK GMG, M2 Browning and Spike anti-tank guided missile |
Mercedes-Benz G-Class | ![]() |
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Armoured car | 290GD | 50 | [24][25] |
Trucks | ||||||
Scania | ![]() |
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Truck | P93 NM154 |
184 8 |
134 P93 trucks and 8 NM154 recovery vehicles donated by Norway in 2013. 50 more trucks purchased in 2014.[24] |
Mercedes-Benz Unimog | ![]() |
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Truck | U1300 U5000 |
120[26] | |
Light vehicles | ||||||
Mercedes-Benz G-Class | ![]() |
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Sport utility vehicle | 240GD 300GDN |
[24][27] | |
Land Rover Defender | ![]() |
Sport utility vehicle | D110 | 2 | D110 variant used by military police.[28] | |
Polaris RZR | ![]() |
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Fast attack vehicle | MRZR-2 MRZR-4 MV850 |
62[29] | Option for up to 130 vehicles.[30] |
Can-Am Outlander | ![]() |
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All-terrain vehicle | Outlander MAX 650XT | 582[31] | [32] |
Special vehicles | ||||||
M3 Amphibious Rig | ![]() |
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Amphibious bridge layer | 4 on order[33] | ||
Bv 206 | ![]() |
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Amphibious tracked vehicle | Bv 206A Bv 206F |
Donated by Sweden in 2002 and 2003.[34] |
Artillery[]
Model | Image | Origin | Caliber | Quantity | Details |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Self-propelled artillery | |||||
M109A5Ö Rechenstellenpanzer M109 |
![]() |
![]() ![]() |
155 mm | 53 10 |
35 howitzers, 10 command and control vehicles and 2 driver training vehicles purchased from Austria in 2017.[35] Additional 18 howitzers received in 2021.[36] |
Mortars | |||||
m/41D | ![]() |
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Mortar | 120mm | [37] |
L16 81mm mortar | ![]() |
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81 mm | ||
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120 mm | Purchased from Austria in 2017.[38] |
Air-defence equipment[]
Model | Image | Origin | Variant | Details | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Man-portable air-defence systems | ||||||
RBS-70 | ![]() |
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RBS 70 NG | [39] | ||
FIM-92 Stinger | ![]() |
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FIM-92 Stinger | [40] | ||
Radars | ||||||
Saab Giraffe | ![]() |
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[37] | |||
AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel | ![]() |
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AN/MPQ-64F1 | [41] | ||
AN/TPS-77 | ![]() |
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AN/TPS-77, TPS-77 MRR | [42] |
Rank structure[43][]
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 | ![]() |
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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 | ![]() |
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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[]
- ^ "Simbolika". Nacionālie bruņotie spēki. Archived from the original on 1 October 2015. Retrieved 30 September 2015.
- ^ "Nacionālie bruņotie spēki". Retrieved 8 June 2019.
- ^ Jane's World Armies Issue 23 - 2008
- ^ "Mechanized Infantry Brigade". Latvian Army. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
- ^ "Nacionālie bruņotie spēki". Archived from the original on 31 December 2014. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2015-03-20. Retrieved 2015-02-25.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "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) - ^ "Member countries". Retrieved 24 December 2014.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Par ieroču modeļu noteikšanu un iepirkumu Nacionālo bruņoto spēku vajadzībām". likumi.lv (in Latvian). 28 July 2005.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Faktu lapa "Nacionālie bruņotie spēki" (2008)". www.mod.gov.lv (in Latvian). Archived from the original on 2018-08-31. Retrieved 2018-08-30.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p "AM sagatavojusi jaunus armijas ieroču standartus". www.tvnet.lv (in Latvian). LETA. 12 July 2018.
- ^ "NBS par 1,8 miljoniem eiro iegādāsies 'Browning M2' ložmetējus". www.delfi.lv (in Latvian). BNS. 21 December 2014.
- ^ Tupp, Enn (2018). "Zemessardze - KASP-i ja Kaitseliidu vääriline partner". Kaitse Kodu! (in Estonian). Kaitseliit. 1: 34. ISSN 1406-3387.
- ^ "Latvia and Estonia Place Orders for Carl-Gustaf M4". saab.com. Saab Press Centre. 13 July 2020.
- ^ "Latvia takes delivery of new Spike missile variants". janes.com. 7 March 2020.
- ^ "Latvian army with US support to receive EUR 2.4 million worth of drones". Retrieved 16 April 2018.
- ^ "Latvia acquires Penguin C long-endurance UAVs". Retrieved 19 April 2019.
- ^ "Latvian army purchases UK armoured combat vehicles". Retrieved 24 December 2014.
- ^ "NBS saņēmuši visas 2014. gadā parakstītajā līgumā paredzētās kāpurķēžu izlūkošanas mašīnas CVR(T)". sargs.lv (in Latvian). 26 October 2020.
- ^ "Latvia orders 6×6 APCs from Patria". Janes Information Services. 1 September 2021. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
- ^ "Joint 6x6 programme proceeds - Patria provides 6x6 armoured vehicles for Finland and Latvia". Patria Group. 30 August 2021. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
- ^ "Latviešu karavīru draugs «Hummer»". tvnet.lv. 1 June 2005.
- ^ "Par ASV naudu pirks «Hummer»". apollo.lv (in Latvian). 10 July 2005.
- ^ a b c "Bruņotie spēki saņem Norvēģijā pirktās automašīnas un ieročus" (in Latvian). Retrieved 31 May 2015.
- ^ "UNROCA original report - Latvia 2015". www.unroca.org.
- ^ "2019. gadā turpinājās NBS un Zemessardzes vienību bruņojuma modernizācija". sargs.lv. 13 January 2020.
- ^ ""Latvijas Avīze" atmasko: Kad galvā lido šķīvīši…" (in Latvian). 20 June 2017.
- ^ "MLR PT.21 ~ LATVIAN MILITARY POLICE D110 SW". joint-forces.com. 28 June 2019.
- ^ "Latvijas armija saņems ar ASV atbalstu sagādātus 62 taktiskos transportlīdzekļus" (in Latvian). delfi.lv. Retrieved 6 Feb 2018.
- ^ "All 47 howitzers bought from Austria are now in Latvia". eng.lsm.lv. 18 October 2018.
- ^ "2019. gadā turpinājās NBS un Zemessardzes vienību bruņojuma modernizācija". sargs.lv. 13 January 2020.
- ^ "Bruņotie spēki no Somijas iegādājušies 6x6 bezceļa transportlīdzekļus" (in Latvian). 15 June 2018.
- ^ "Latvijas armija iekārtas no ASV 20 miljonu dolāru vērtībā". nra.lv (in Latvian). Retrieved 2021-12-10.
- ^ Kristovskis, Gatis (12 June 2018). "Latvia to buy parts of used all-terrain carriers from Sweden for EUR 5.7 million". LETA.
- ^ "ARMOUR FOCUS – NEW LATVIAN M109 SPH". joint-forces.com. 4 April 2018.
- ^ "Latvijai piegād��tas papildu 18 pašgājējhaubices". delfi.lv. 27 July 2021.
- ^ a b "SIPRI Trade Register".
- ^ "Latvia gets from Austria second-hand 120 mm mortars". leta.lv. 4 October 2017.
- ^ "Saab Receives Order from Latvia for RBS 70 Missiles". SAAB. 8 September 2016. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
- ^ "Latvia signs deal to buy 'Stinger' missiles from Denmark". LSM. 21 August 2021. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
- ^ "Latvia receives two more military radar units from US". LSM. 9 August 2016. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
- ^ "First new-generation military radar system arriving". LSM. 9 March 2018. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
- ^ "Latvia Latvian Army ranks military combat field uniforms dress grades uniformes combat armee lettone - Army Recognition - Army Recognition". Retrieved 24 December 2014.
External links[]
- Military of Latvia
- Military units and formations established in 1918
- Military units and formations disestablished in 1940
- Military units and formations established in 1991
- 1991 establishments in Latvia