Latvia, which borders Russia, only reintroduced conscription last year after abolishing it in 2006. The country, which has a population of fewer than two million, selects its conscripts at random and aims to have 4,000 soldiers by 2028.
The Baltic state was one of the last countries besides Russia to reintroduce conscription. Sweden and Lithuania decided to do so shortly after Moscow’s illegal annexation of the Ukrainian Crimea in 2014.
While European capitals are looking to recruit and retain personnel for their armed forces, conscription for women remains rare. In March, Denmark announced it would introduce conscription for women, making Denmark only the third European country to take this step, after Norway and Sweden.
Compulsory military service for women will not happen “today or tomorrow,” Sprūds said on Latvian television, pointing to political and technical hurdles that must be overcome.
By 2028, “some homework needs to be done: a public debate, improving the service’s infrastructure and providing material and equipment specifically tailored to women,” he explained on X.
Earlier this year, Latvia adopted a 12-year plan to develop its army. It includes, among other things, guidelines for industry on investment areas in line with capability priorities, the provision of more reservists and the development of military infrastructure.
