At the end of 2022, the US Congress confirmed funding of $225 million towards their Baltic Security Initiative for the fiscal year of 2023, as confirmed by Latvia’s Ministry of Defence.
All this funding will be diverted towards development of all three Baltic States’ military capabilities. In the fiscal year of 2022 the Baltic Security Initiative received funding of $150 million.
The Ministry of Defence reminds that US has confirmed plans to expand military presence in Baltic States. The plan details the deployment if US troops and military equipment in Latvia on a rotational basis.
It is planned for the US to station its forces in Latvia at Adazi and Lielvarde military bases. This is intended to enhance deterrence and defence, as well as improve mutual compatibility between Latvian and US armed forces.
It is planned for Latvia to host US artillery and aviation units at first.
This coincides with Latvian National Armed Forces’ needs for defensive capabilities.
“US understands the current geopolitical situation and Russia’s threats to Europe’s security. This is affirmed by the decision to increase support for Baltic States’ military capabilities and the previously affirmed plan for military presence in our region. This is important not only for Latvia’s, but also Baltic region’s defence,” said Latvia’s Minister of Defence Inara Murniece after meeting with US ambassador John Carwile.
US President Joe Biden said during the NATO summit in Madrid in June 2022 that because of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine he decided to increase the presence of US military along the eastern flank of NATO, said the Ministry of Defence. (BNN/Business World Magazine)