Latvia to hold Namejs 2026 defence exercises with 12,000 participants

Latvia’s National Armed Forces will conduct the nationwide Namejs 2026 defence exercises from September 2 to October 8, involving 12,000 soldiers and National Guard members, LSM reported, citing the armed forces.

Soldiers and National Guard members from all National Armed Forces units will take part, including national defence service personnel, reservists and allied troops.

The exercises will strengthen cooperation between Latvia’s armed forces, allied forces and civilian institutions. Cooperation will also continue with the Crisis Management Centre, the State Chancellery, ministries and their subordinate institutions, state security institutions, municipalities and businesses.

A particular focus will be placed on unmanned systems and counter-drone capabilities. Increased unmanned aerial vehicle flights will take place in eastern Latvia, including near the border, where participants will practise using the systems for various tasks and improving their ability to detect, identify and neutralise opposing unmanned systems.

The exercises will also continue the development and integration of capabilities across all branches of the armed forces in joint operations, strengthening defence capabilities on land, at sea, in the air, in cyberspace and in the information environment.

Namejs 2026 will also serve as a platform for the practical testing of capabilities and solutions developed as part of the National Armed Forces’ transformation. The exercises will incorporate lessons learned in Ukraine and experience from modern armed conflicts.