Latvia holds Namejs 2026 defence exercises nationwide

Latvia is holding its comprehensive national defence exercises Namejs 2026 in Cesvaine and locations across the country, LSM reported. The drills involve soldiers and members of the National Guard from all National Armed Forces units, as well as state defence service personnel, reservists and troops from allied armed forces.

President Edgars Rinkēvičs visited the exercises in Cesvaine and said cooperation between civilian and military services was still developing. He identified communication between municipalities and the armed forces as a critical element in preventing and managing crises and threats.

The exercises focus on cooperation between the armed forces and civilian institutions. The Crisis Management Centre, State Chancellery, sectoral ministries, interior services, municipalities and companies are also involved in ensuring the support needed for national defence.

Rinkēvičs said a pilot project was being developed in the area of responsibility of the Vidzeme Brigade. It aims to establish specific cooperation mechanisms with each municipality and city, with clear responsibilities set out in work plans. He said the model could eventually be adopted throughout Latvia.

The president said the exercises also drew lessons from civilian crises, including a recent storm. He said both civilian and military defence required decentralisation and the sharing of responsibilities, as communication disruptions could make it impossible to coordinate all actions from Riga. Municipalities would therefore also have to assume responsibility for action during crises.

Armed forces commander Lieutenant General Kaspars Pudāns said the new model for military and civilian cooperation involved establishing crisis management staffs at municipal level. They would be provided with the resources needed to manage crises and implement civil protection plans. Pudāns also praised cooperation with the interior services so far.