Published: 04.09.2025.
From 2 to 7 September, “Namejs 2025” is coming to the capital and its surroundings. The Riga 1st Brigade of the National Guard and allied units of the armed forces will demonstrate their capabilities and readiness, thereby strengthening security in Riga, the municipalities of Pierīga and the Bauska Region.
“Namejs 2025” will include on-site patrols in Riga, skill demonstrations in urban environments and defence operations in Pierīga.
“This year, the Riga 1st Brigade of the National Guard welcomes national guards from Sweden, Denmark and Lithuania. Which is why the Multinational Brigade is coming to our aid in the demonstration of our skills,” said Colonel Normunds Baranovs, Commander of the Brigade.
During the tasks, national guards from the Riga 1st Brigade and soldiers will cooperate with specialists from the Swedish National Guard Stridskraften Hemvärnet, the Danish Territorial Guard Hjemmeværnet, the Lithuanian National Defence Volunteer Force (KASP), the NATO Multinational Brigade Latvia, the State Border Guard, the State and Riga Municipal Police, the State Fire and Rescue Service, the Emergency Medical Service and several private and public companies – critical infrastructure developers of National Guard units. The national guards will carry out defence training in the territories of AS Latvijas valsts meži and SIA Rīgas meži.
“The mission of the national guards at “Namejs 2025” is comprehensive national defence in action – visible, present and united. Seeing national guards and military equipment on the streets of Riga reminds us that national defence is not something abstract, it is a responsibility we all share. We deliberately train openly because our strength lies in our preparedness and also in the public understanding and confidence that we will defend Latvia together,” said Colonel N. Baranovs.
Approximately 12,000 Latvian and allied soldiers and national guards will participate in the training.
In response to changing security challenges, Latvia’s national defence system must be comprehensive and based on the preparedness of society as a whole and state institutions for the crisis, as well as resilience to external influences. A comprehensive national defence system includes not only national defence or public administrations, but also the private sector, businesses, non-governmental organisations, citizens and others. The comprehensive national defence system aims to facilitate a framework of planning, coordination and partnership between public institutions, the private sector, non-governmental organisations and citizens in the performance of important national functions. The practical goal of a comprehensive national defence system is to give each national institution a specific role and tasks in national defence.
The training “Namejs” is pre-planned and has been running across Latvia since 2014. Regular military exercises play a key role in maintaining and strengthening the National Armed Forces’ combat capabilities, which must be at a consistently high level. The Armed Forces must always be ready to respond in time and effectively to potential threats and to guarantee Latvia’s security. Strengthening cooperation with state and municipal institutions, various sectoral businesses, and their involvement in the exercise strengthens the comprehensive national defence system in Latvia.
Information was prepared by Riga 1st Brigade of the National Guard
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