Latvia launches nationwide Namejs 2026 military exercises

Latvia’s National Armed Forces have begun nationwide comprehensive national defence exercises that will run until October 8, LSM reported on Wednesday.

Namejs 2026 will involve 12,000 soldiers and members of the National Guard from all National Armed Forces units, as well as soldiers serving in the national defence service, reserve soldiers and allied troops.

Exercises to strengthen cooperation

The exercises will improve cooperation between the National 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, several municipalities and businesses.

The participants will work to provide the support needed for national defence and strengthen Latvia’s comprehensive national defence system.

Focus on drones and counter-drone capabilities

Namejs 2026 will continue the integration of National Armed Forces and allied capabilities, improving the interoperability of units and their ability to respond in a coordinated manner to modern security challenges.

Lessons learned in Ukraine and experience from modern armed conflicts have been incorporated into the planning and execution of the exercises. Particular emphasis will therefore be placed on using unmanned systems and developing counter-drone capabilities.

Unmanned aircraft flights will increase in Latvia’s eastern region, including near the border. The exercises will train participants to use the aircraft for various tasks while improving their ability to detect, identify and neutralise an adversary’s unmanned systems.

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

Namejs 2026 will also provide a platform to test in practice capabilities and solutions developed as part of the National Armed Forces’ transformation. New capabilities, procedures and technologies introduced and integrated through the transformation will be tested during the exercises.