Latvia's defense concept is based upon the Swedish-Finnish model of a rapid response force composed of a
mobilization base[?] and a small group of career professionals. The armed forces consists of mobile riflemen, an air force, and a navy. The army, navy, and air force comprise 5,864 personnel. The "zemessardze," or home guard, is an autonomous 13,890 man-strong volunteer paramilitary organization which also performs traditional national guard duties. There is a mandatory one-year draft period of active duty, and alternative conscription for conscientious objectors is available. Defense spending has risen in recent years, and in 2000 comprised 3.5% of budget spending.
Military branches:
Ground Forces, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces, Security Forces, Border Guard, Home Guard (Zemessardze)
Military manpower - military age:
18 years of age
Military manpower - availability:
males age 15-49:
590,236 (2000 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service:
males age 15-49:
463,254 (2000 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually:
males:
18,239 (2000 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:
$60 million (FY99)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:
0.9% (FY99)
- See also : Latvia