Colonel of the Latvian National Armed Forces Raivis Melnis, who was nominated for the post of Minister of Defense by Prime Minister Evika Siliņa, stated that he intends to make the country's defense sector more flexible and efficient, utilizing the experience of the war in Ukraine. This was reported by LSM, according to UNN.
Details
Melnis noted that he plans to accelerate the integration of the latest technologies into Latvia's national defense system, drawing on Ukrainian combat experience.
"I come to this position with a professional mission to make the defense sector much more efficient, as well as more flexible, based on the experience of the Ukrainian war,"
Latvia wants to involve Ukrainian specialists
Melnis also announced that he wants to involve specialists from the Armed Forces of Ukraine to train Latvian military personnel in the field of counter-drone operations.
According to him, Ukrainian specialists could help in creating mobile air defense groups and deploying them along the border.
Separately, the candidate for the ministerial post emphasized the need to develop the military industry and its closer integration with the National Armed Forces of Latvia to respond more effectively to modern threats.
Raivis Melnis has served in the National Armed Forces of Latvia since 1998 and is currently the representative of the country's Ministry of Defense in Ukraine. To be appointed to the post of Minister of Defense, he will have to leave military service.
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