Latvian National Guard

Latvian National Guard
Latvian National Guard emblem
Active	1991 - present
Country	Latvia
Type	Light Infantry
Size	11,000
Part of	Latvian Armed Forces

The National Guard (Latvian: Zemessardze (ZS)) is a part of the National Armed Forces. The NG is a basic land component, consisting of volunteers who perform traditional national guard duties such as crisis response and support for military operations. It consists of 3 regions of each with one brigade. The National Guard continued its development also after Latvia joined NATO.

History

National Guard troops firing artillery

The National Guard was established in August 1991 as a voluntary public military self-defense organization. Its roots can be traced to the pre-World War II Aizsargi organization. It is the largest NAF structure in terms of numbers. The National Guard has always played an essential role in the national defense system by allowing the public to be involved in national defense. A number of National Guard battalions have been transformed into high-readiness reserve forces, which can be deployed immediately on international military operations.

The youth organization of the National Guard, the Jaunsardze (Youth Guards), was established in 1992. It is the largest youth movement in Latvia, bringing together young people from the age of 12 to 18.

An aviation component was introduced in 1993, with a fleet of ex-Soviet DOSAAF light aircraft and gliders. In 2000 the aviation component became part of the Air Force.

Mission

The main task of the National Guard is to support the regular Land Force units by defending the national territory during military threat and to perform NAF combat support and combat logistics functions. At the same time, the National Guard will continue providing assistance to the public regarding crisis control, as well as to the State Police regarding provision of public law and order, and continue the safeguarding of sites of national security importance.

The main mission of the National Guard is to:

• Ensure the combat and mobilization readiness of its own units;
• Provide legal and military training for National Guard soldiers;
• Provide national juridical order.

National Guards during the parade

Structure^[1]

National Guard soldier

National Guard (NG) Headquarters (Rīga)

• NG Cyber Defense Unit (Rīga)
• NG Special PSYOPS Support Platoon (Valmiera)
• NG Veterans' Union (Rīga)
• NG Orchestra and Choir (Rīga)

National Guard Region (NGR) 1 (Liepāja HQ):

• NG Infantry Battalion 44 (Liepāja)
• NG Infantry Battalion 46 (Ventspils)
• NG Infantry Battalion 51 (Dobele)
• NG Infantry Battalion 52 (Jelgava)
• NG Logistics Battalion 45 (Kuldīga)

National Guard Region (NGR) 2 (Rēzekne HQ):

• NG Infantry Battalion 25 (Gulbene)
• NG CBRN Defense Battalion 31 (Alūksne)
• NG Infantry Battalion 32 (Rēzekne)
• NG Artillery Battalion 34 (Daugavpils)
• NG Logistics Battalion 35 (Preiļi)
• NG Infantry Battalion 55 (Aizkraukle)
• NG Infantry Battalion 56 (Jēkabpils)

National Guard Region (NGR) 3 (Rīga HQ):

• NG Student Battalion (Rīga)
• NG Air Defense Battalion 17 (Rīga)
• NG Logistics Battalion 19 (Rīga)
• NG Infantry Battalion 22 (Valmiera)
• NG Infantry Battalion 27 (Cēsis)
• NG Engineer Battalion 54 (Ogre)

Equipment

Military vehicles

Name	Image	Origin	Type	Variants	Quantity	Notes
Trucks
Scania		Sweden	Truck	P93
Mercedes-Benz		Germany	Truck	MB1017
Unimog		Germany	Truck	MB406
Volvo		Sweden	Truck	VOLVO934		Phasing out
Volvo		Sweden	Truck	VOLVO Viking 939		Phasing out
Light vehicles
Mercedes-Benz		Germany	SUV	MB G-Class 240GD
HMMWV		United States	SUV
CUCV		United States	SUV
Jeep		United States	SUV
Volvo		Sweden	SUV	C303 C304 C306
Special vehicles
Bv 206		Sweden	Amphibious tracked vehicle	Bv 206A Bv 206F

Weapons

Name	Image	Origin	Type	Variants	Quantity	Notes
Artillery
Škoda vz53		Czechoslovakia	Field gun	100mm caliber
Heavy mortars
2B11		Soviet Union	Mortar	120 mm caliber
Anti-tank weapons
Pvpj 1110		Sweden	Recoilless rifle	90 mm caliber
Carl Gustav recoilless rifle		Sweden		84 mm caliber
Anti-aircraft gun
Bofors 40mm gun		Sweden		Bofors 40mm L/70
submachine guns
Carl Gustav		Sweden		M45
Assault rifles
Heckler & Koch G36		Germany		Heckler & Koch G36K
Heckler & Koch G3		Sweden		AK4
Machine guns
FN MAG		Belgium		FN MAG
M2 Browning		United States		M2
Heckler & Koch HK21		Germany		HK 21
RPK		Soviet Union		RPK
Sniper rifles
PGM Hécate II		France		Hecate2

Cooperation

The National Guard has established close co-operation with similar organizations abroad – the US Michigan Army National Guard, the Australian Army Reserve, the UK Territorial Army, and the Home Guard Organizations of Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Lithuania and Estonia.

References

1. "ZS vienības" (in Latvian). LR Zemesardze. Retrieved August 8, 2015.

• Zemessardze official site - www.zemessardze.lv (Latvian)