The transfer of weapons to Ukraine does not create gaps in Latvia’s security and defense system, Leonids Kalniņš, commander of the National Armed Forces (NBS), said in an interview with TV3 on Friday.
Kalniņš said that Latvia basically sends military supplies to Ukraine, which does not affect the combat readiness of the NBS. In general, the aid shipments have even helped the NBS to develop by giving up Soviet weapon systems and switching to NATO weapons themselves.
As Kalniņš said, Latvia fulfilled a double mission with the aid – helped Ukraine and started more active arming with new weapons.
Speaking about the capabilities of the NBS drones, Kalniņš said that they were being developed several years before the start of the war in Ukraine. In his opinion, the army is actively buying local products. The NBS commander called on the local industry to more actively present their prototypes to the army. “But our requirements are very high, and don’t be offended if many of you don’t meet our requirements,” added Kalniņš.
Commenting on the message of the program “Nekā peresika” that the “Patria” armored vehicles produced entirely in Latvia cannot be registered, because such an option is not provided for in the law, Kalniņš expressed the position that nothing extraordinary happened, the problems were identified in time and are being solved, thus “Patria” deliveries schedule and volumes will not be affected.
On April 30, the government supported the transfer of NBS anti-aircraft guns, tactical unmanned surveillance systems, as well as other essential material and technical means to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Prime Minister Evika Siliņa (JV) then explained – although Latvia cannot send the necessary “Patriot” air defense system to Ukraine, the system provided by Latvia will also be a very good addition to the Ukrainian armed forces.
Asked if Latvia is not losing any of its military capabilities in this way, Siliņa said that the principle of parity is observed in the transfer of technical means, that is, the government evaluates what has already been ordered and will soon be delivered to the Latvian defense department in order to understand what can be transferred to the Ukrainians.
Latvia annually allocates 0.25% of the gross domestic product to Ukraine’s military support and will continue to support Ukraine both bilaterally and together with its allies, says Siliņa.
Helicopters, machine guns, unmanned aerial vehicles, self-propelled howitzers and other types of weapons have also been handed over to Ukrainians from Latvia.
Tags: NBS commander explains sending military equipment Ukraine affects Latvias security
