FILE ON MINISTRY OF DEFENCE OF THE REPUBLIC OF LATVIACompany

Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Latvia

2026 defence budget is 4.73% of GDP1. Raivis Melnis has been the Minister of Defence since 28 May 2026.2.

3 SOURCES · 12 DOCUMENTED FACTS · 3 DISPUTED · OPENED 2026-07-25 · UPDATED 2026-07-25
On the record see profile →

2026 defence budget is 4.73% of GDP

About Us | Aizsardzības ministrija
“the 2026 defense budget will amount to 4.73% of GDP, or 2,157,966,637 EUR”
SOURCEAbout Us | Aizsardzības ministrija·stored copy on file
VERIFIED — a word-for-word match in the stored source

Raivis Melnis has been the Minister of Defence since 28 May 2026.

List of ministers of defence of Latvia - Wikipedia
“Since 28 May 2026, the position has been held by Raivis Melnis .”
SOURCEList of ministers of defence of Latvia - Wikipedia·stored copy on file
VERIFIED — a word-for-word match in the stored source

The position of Minister of Defence was re-established in November 1991.

List of ministers of defence of Latvia - Wikipedia
“The position was re-established in November 1991 following the declaration on the restoration of the country's independence from the USSR .”
SOURCEList of ministers of defence of Latvia - Wikipedia·stored copy on file
VERIFIED — a word-for-word match in the stored source

National Armed Forces reports to Ministry of Defence

About Us | Aizsardzības ministrija
“Defence minister is the civilian official overseeing the National Armed Forces and other units reporting to the Ministry.”
SOURCEAbout Us | Aizsardzības ministrija·stored copy on file
VERIFIED — a word-for-word match in the stored source

Ministry of Defence is responsible for defence

About Us | Aizsardzības ministrija
“Ministry of Defence is the first-level executive government body responsible for defence and led by the defence minister.”
SOURCEAbout Us | Aizsardzības ministrija·stored copy on file
VERIFIED — a word-for-word match in the stored source

The ministry was re-established in its current form as the Ministry of Defence on 13 November 1991.

The ministry was formally dissolved on 27 September 1940.

The Ministry of Defence is located at Krišjāņa Valdemāra 10/12, Riga, Latvia

Ministry of Defence (Latvia) - Wikipedia
“Krišjāņa Valdemāra 10/12 Riga , Latvia”
SOURCEMinistry of Defence (Latvia) - Wikipedia·stored copy on file
VERIFIED — a word-for-word match in the stored source

The defence minister of the Republic of Latvia is the head of the Ministry of Defence.

List of ministers of defence of Latvia - Wikipedia
“The defence minister of the Republic of Latvia ( Latvian : Latvijas Republikas aizsardzības ministrs ) is the head of the Ministry of Defence , who is charged with the political leadership of the Latvian National Armed Forces .”
SOURCEList of ministers of defence of Latvia - Wikipedia·stored copy on file
VERIFIED — a word-for-word match in the stored source

Ministry of Defence coordinates social security

About Us | Aizsardzības ministrija
“Ministry of Defence coordinates Health benefits for soldiers”
SOURCEAbout Us | Aizsardzības ministrija·stored copy on file
VERIFIED — a word-for-word match in the stored source

The Ministry of Defence uses the Large Coat of Arms of Latvia as its logo.

The ministry was renamed as the Ministry of War in 1922.

Disputed — who says what, against what see standalone →

These are things people say about Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Latvia that aren't settled fact — each one attributed to who's actually claiming it, so a claim never quietly passes as established just because it showed up in a document. Weigh it yourself.

Disputed
"Tālavs Jundzis was the Minister of Defence from 19 November 1991 to 3 August 1993."
Unattributed assertion · stance: neutral
The evidence on file mostly supports this, but it's still someone's claim, not a settled fact.
List of ministers of defence of Latvia - Wikipedia ↗
Disputed
"Valdis Pavlovskis was the Minister of Defence from 3 August 1993 to 19 September 1994."
Unattributed assertion · stance: neutral
Not yet independently weighed — one source's claim, unconfirmed elsewhere.
List of ministers of defence of Latvia - Wikipedia ↗
Disputed
"The Ministry of Defence is headed by the Minister of Defence"
Unattributed assertion · stance: neutral
Not yet independently weighed — one source's claim, unconfirmed elsewhere.
Ministry of Defence (Latvia) - Wikipedia ↗
Timeline see standalone →
1991
13 November 1991
Re-establishment of Ministry of Defence
receipt ↗ · source ↗
13 November 1991
re-establishment of the ministry
source ↗
1940
1940
Occupation of Latvia
receipt ↗ · source ↗
1991
1991-11
re-establishment of the position of Minister of Defence
source ↗
2025
2025-12
adoption of 2026 defense budget
receipt ↗ · source ↗
1918
22 November 1918
Establishment of Ministry of Defence
receipt ↗ · source ↗
1940
27 September 1940
dissolution of the ministry
source ↗
Undated
—
proclamation of the independence of Latvia
source ↗
People
Lauma Zommereemployed by
Raivis Melnisemployed by
Airis Rikveilisemployed by