Latvia's "Namejs 2026" drills to heighten readiness, but pose provocation risk, says military chief

Latvia is set to commence extensive nationwide defense drills, dubbed "Namejs 2026," next week. The exercises, organized by the National Armed Forces (NBS), will span across the entire country, involving various military capabilities.

Lt. Gen. Kaspars Pudāns, Commander of the National Armed Forces, highlighted that while such drills significantly enhance the military's readiness and capabilities, they also present a potential window of opportunity for external provocations. He specifically pointed to Russia, suggesting that the heightened military activity could be perceived as a "temptation" for Moscow to instigate incidents.

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such drills increase the readiness of various capabilities compared to everyday situations, but precisely because of that, Russia might have a "temptation" to carry out some provocations during this period.

However, Pudāns articulated that the primary concern during such a period is not the military's capacity to respond to immediate threats. Instead, he identified the potential impact of any provocations on public trust in the armed forces as the greatest risk. Maintaining public confidence is seen as crucial for national security and the effectiveness of defense efforts.

The "Namejs" exercises are a regular feature of Latvia's defense preparedness, designed to test and improve the coordination and response of military units in various scenarios. The commander's remarks underscore the delicate balance between enhancing national defense capabilities and managing the geopolitical sensitivities inherent in large-scale military exercises near Russia's borders.

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the biggest risk in such a situation would not be the inability to quickly eliminate the threat, but the impact of possible provocations on public trust in the NBS.