Latvian Land Forces

Latvian Land Forces
Sauszemes spēki
Emblem of the Latvian Land Forces HQ
Active	1918–1940, 1991–present
Country	Latvia
Type	Army
Role	Land warfare
Size	7,870 Professional soldiers 10,000 National Guard 38,000 Reserve[1]
Part of	Latvian National Armed Forces
Mottos	Vienotībā spēks (English: "Power in unity")[2]
Anniversaries	30 April (Land Forces Day) 4 May (Independence Restoration and Armed Forces Day)
Engagements	War of Independence Iraq War Multinational force in Iraq War in Afghanistan Attack on Bari Alai
Commanders
Commander of the HQ	Colonel Oskars Kudlis[3]

The Latvian Land Forces (Latvian: Sauszemes spēki, SzS) together with the Latvian National Guard form the land warfare branch of the Latvian National Armed Forces. From 2007 to 2024, the Land Forces were organized as a fully professional standing army until the re-introduction of conscription.

The main missions of the national Land Forces are to:

• Provide for the defense of all national territories;
• Ensure combat readiness and the mobilization of units;
• Dispose of explosive ordnance;
• Provide public assistance.

Mech. Infantry Bde.

Special Operations Cdo.

Lielvārde Air Base

Navy Headquarters

Coastal Def. Bn.

Latvian military units and bases

• Mechanized Infantry Brigade^[4]
  • Headquarters and Signal Company
  • 1st Mechanized Infantry Battalion^[5]
    • Headquarters and Signals Platoon
    • 3× Mechanized infantry companies
    • Combat Support Company
    • Combat Service Support Company
  • 2nd Mechanized Infantry Battalion^[6]
    • Headquarters and Signals Platoon
    • 3× Mechanized infantry companies
    • Combat Support Company
    • Combat Service Support Company
  • 3rd Infantry Battalion (Training unit)^[7]
    • Headquarters and Signals Platoon
    • 3× Infantry companies
    • Combat Service Support Company
  • Artillery Battalion (M109A5Ö self-propelled howitzers)^[8]
    • Headquarters and Signals Platoon
    • 3× Artillery batteries
    • Joint Fire Support Forward Observers (JFOs)
    • Joint Air Support Controllers (JTACs)
  • Combat Support Battalion^[9]
    • Headquarters and Signals Platoon
    • Reconnaissance Company
    • Air-defence Battery
    • Engineer Company
  • Combat Service Support Battalion^[10]
    • Headquarters and Signals Platoon
    • Supply and Transport Company
    • Technical Support and Maintenance Company
    • Medical Company
    • Security Company

Since 1996 the National Armed Forces' soldiers have been deployed on nine international peace-keeping missions in Afghanistan, Albania, Bosnia, Central African Republic, Georgia, Iraq, Kosovo, North Macedonia and Somalia.^[11] Starting from January 1, 2015, Latvian Armed Forces are taking part in EU's Nordic Battle Group.^[12][13] On March 29, 2004, Latvia became a full member of NATO.^[14]

The rank structure of the Latvian army is adjusted to the rank structure of the NATO countries in Europe. Rank insignia are worn historically on the collars and today also on shoulder marks. Starting 2016, only the Staff Battalion wears the collar insignia.

The following are the current insignia of commissioned officers.

NATO code	OF-10		OF-9		OF-8		OF-7		OF-6		OF-5		OF-4		OF-3		OF-2		OF-1
Latvian Land Forces[15]
					Ģenerāl­leitnants		Ģenerāl­majors		Brigādes ģenerālis		Pulkvedis		Pulkvež­leitnants		Majors		Kapteinis		Virs­leitnants			Leitnants

The rank insignia of non-commissioned officers and enlisted personnel.

NATO code	OR-9						OR-8		OR-7		OR-6						OR-5						OR-4				OR-3		OR-2						OR-1
Latvian Land Forces[15]
	Augstākais virsseržants						Galvenais virsseržants		Štāba virsseržants		Virsseržants						Seržants						Kaprālis				Dižkareivis		Kareivis

• Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Latvia
• Mission of Latvia to NATO