Latvian Army Commander Lieutenant General Leonīds Kalniņš stated that the country's air defense system is primarily focused on protecting cities and critical infrastructure, according to an interview with Latvian public broadcaster LSM published on May 24, 2026.
Kalniņš noted that serious investments in Latvia's air defense have begun in recent years, while threats to airspace posed by low-flying and slow-flying objects have emerged in the last 3-5 years. He cited multiple incidents, including over 20 cases of unauthorized drone flights near the border with Belarus in the past three months alone.
The commander emphasized that Latvia is working with NATO allies to enhance its air defense capabilities, including the acquisition of short-range systems and counter-drone technology. He did not provide specific details on the number of systems or their deployment locations.
Latvia shares a 172-kilometer border with Belarus and has faced increased security concerns since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The country has allocated over 2% of its GDP to defense spending, in line with NATO guidelines.
