The fire and steel reception prepared by the Latvian Army for a Russian invasion

Latvia has one of the five smallest NATO armies, but its size is increasing considerably.

The tests of the anti-tank obstacles that Latvia has placed on its border with Russia
These are the five smallest armies in the NATO, two of them in a zone of high tension

Two years ago I pointed out that Latvia had 6,600 active-duty military personnel, with a single branch of service, the Latvian Army, which is divided into four forces: the Ground Forces, the Naval Forces, the Air Forces, and the National Guard, made up of reservists. Latvia currently has 7,870 professional soldiers and the National Guard has grown from 1,200 soldiers to 10,000, with 38,000 soldiers in its reserve.

The reason for this increase in military strength is obvious. Latvia has been one of the countries threatened by Russia since the start of the large-scale invasion of Ukraine, and the Latvians have taken their defense seriously.

It must be said that Latvia is not alone in this: a NATO Multinational Brigade is deployed in the country, a ground force composed primarily of armored vehicles and formed by military personnel from several allied countries, including Spain.

In turn, the Latvian Land Forces have a Mechanized Infantry Brigade consisting of three infantry battalions, two support battalions, and one artillery unit.

Latvia has no tanks, but its artillery unit has 47 M-109A5Ö self-propelled howitzers with 155 mm cannons, purchased from Austria in 2017. In addition to this powerful artillery force, Latvia purchased six HIMARS missile launchers in 2023.

On its Facebook page, the Mechanized Infantry Brigade has been posting photos of its soldiers' training to prepare for a possible invasion by its two hostile neighbors: Russia (in the east) and Belarus (in the southeast). The Latvians prepare a welcome with fire and steel.

This small Baltic country has a historical incentive to defend itself. In its War of Independence (1918-1920), Latvia was able to defeat the Red Army, with the support of the Estonian and Polish armies. Today, Latvia has stronger forces and more allies to confront a Russian invasion, which NATO would consider an act of war.

These images show exercises with the 84mm Carl Gustaf M4 grenade launcher, a Swedish-made portable anti-tank weapon supplied by Canada to Ukraine at the start of the Russian invasion in 2022. These portable weapons have proven highly effective not only against armored vehicles but also in cutting enemy logistical lines, as was the case in Ukraine. In addition to the Carl Gustafs, Latvia also has 84mm AT4 grenade launchers and various types of Spike anti-tank missiles.

The images also show the M-109A5Ö self-propelled howitzers, which today are the Latvian Army's main iron fist in dealing with foreign aggression. The images also show live fire from the 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine guns mounted on these vehicles' turrets.

Hopefully, that invasion never comes, but as the wise Latin saying goes, "si vis pacem, para bellum" (if you want peace, prepare for war).