Latvian Naval Forces

{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2021}} {{Infobox military unit | unit_name = Latvian Naval Forces | native_name = {{lang|lv|Latvijas Jūras spēki}} | image = Latvian Naval Forces emblem.svg | image_size = 200px | caption = Coat of arms of the Latvian Naval Forces | dates = 10 August 1919 - 17 June 1940<br>1991 - present | country = {{LAT}} | allegiance = | branch = | type = Navy | role = Naval warfare | size = | command_structure = Latvian National Armed Forces | garrison = Liepāja | garrison_label = Headquarters | nickname = | patron = | motto = ''Mūs vieno Latvijas svētais vārds!''<br>{{small|({{langx|en|"Holy name of Latvia unites us!"}})}} | colors = | colors_label = | march = | mascot = | equipment = | equipment_label = | battles = {{blist|War of Independence|Latvian Mercantile Marine during World War II}} | anniversaries = | decorations = | battle_honours = <!-- Commanders --> | commander1 = Flotilla admiral Māris Polencs<ref>{{cite web |title=Jūras spēki |url=https://www.mil.lv/lv/cilveks/maris-polencs|website=mil.lv |language=lv}}</ref> | commander1_label = | commander2 = | commander2_label = | commander3 = | commander3_label = | notable_commanders = <!-- Insignia --> | identification_symbol = 150px|border | identification_symbol_label = Naval Ensign | identification_symbol_2 = 150px|border | identification_symbol_2_label = Naval Jack }}

'''Latvian Naval Forces''' ({{langx|lv|Latvijas Jūras spēki}}) is the naval warfare branch of the National Armed Forces. It is tasked with conducting military, search and rescue operations, mine and explosive sweeping on the Baltic Sea, as well as ecological monitoring activities. The Naval Forces have participated in international NATO/Partnership for Peace operations and various exercises with great success. The main development priorities of the Naval Forces are to expand their activities within the Baltic States’ Ship Squadron BALTRON and to develop a Sea Surveillance System. They pay a great deal of attention to professionally specialized training and English-language teaching.

== History == === Independence to World War II === [[File:'Ronis' ja 'Spidola' Tallinna sadamas 1927.jpg|left|thumb|Latvian Ronis-class submarines in Tallinn, 1927]] The Latvian Naval Forces were founded on 10 August 1919 with its first ship being the former Imperial German minesweeper SMS ''M68''. Previously, ''M68'' had been sunk by a mine off Riga on October 29 1917. She was raised in 1918 and taken back to Riga for repairs, but was later seized by forces of the Latvian Socialist Soviet Republic in 1919, before being recaptured by Germany. Upon the conclusion of the Latvian War of Independence, and the victory of the Latvian Provisional Government, ''M68'' was formally commissioned into the Latvian Naval Forces as ''Virsaitis''. She would remain the Latvian Navy's only warship until 1926.

In 1926, two new ''Viesturs''-class minesweepers, ''Viesturs'' and ''Imanta'' were ordered from France and commissioned later that year. The same year, two ''Ronis''-class submarines; ''Ronis'' and ''Spīdola'', also ordered from France, were commissioned. A sixth vessel, the former German icebreaker ''Passat'' became the submarine tender ''Varonis''.

The six ships consisted of the entirety of the Latvian Naval Forces during its first incarnation, as The Great Depression hindered further expansion. The Navy saw no action during its early existence.

In August 1940, the Soviet Union invaded and occupied Latvia, and thus, seized all six Latvian warships. All were incorporated into the Baltic Fleet. Both submarines retained their names, but ''Virsaitis'' was renamed ''T-297'' (her name was restored the following year), ''Viesturs'' was renamed ''T-298'', ''Imanta'' was renamed ''T-299'', and ''Varonis'' was renamed ''Ural.''

All six ships served in World War II in various roles. ''Ronis'' and ''Spīdola'' were scuttled in Liepāja on June 24 1941 to prevent their capture by German forces. ''T-299'' struck a mine and sank off Saaremaa on July 1 1941. ''Ural'' struck a mine and sank on 28 August 1941. ''Virsaitis'' took part in the evacuation of the Soviet garrison on the Hanko Peninsula in late 1941. On December 2 1941, she struck a mine and sank off Hanko. ''T-298'' was the only former Latvian warship to survive World War II and was later converted to a survey ship in 1948. Her final fate is unknown.

=== Post-1991 === [[File:NBS parāde 11.novembra krastmalā (15634502908).jpg|thumb|Latvian sailors at the Independence Day parade, 2014]] When Latvia regained its independence in 1991, it began recreating the Latvian Naval Forces under the command of Admiral (then Captain) Gaidis Zeibots. In 1994 the Naval Forces were composed of the Southern Region (in Liepāja), the Central Region (in Riga), the Coastal Defense Battalion (in Ventspils) and the Training Center (in Liepāja). The most important naval event of these early days of the re-established Latvian Republic occurred on 11 April 1991 when the Latvian flag was hoisted on the re-established Navy's first ship "Sams" ('Catfish'). This date is now recognized as the rebirth of the Latvian Naval Forces.

In 1999 the Baltic Naval Squadron (BALTRON) was created with ships from the Lithuanian, Latvian and Estonian Navies. Latvian Navy Captain Ilmars Lesinskis, then the Commander of the Southern District, was appointed to serve as the first commander of this multi-national force.

On 1 July 1999 Latvian Naval Forces were reorganized. The present structure was established on the basis of previous regional units – the War Ships Flotilla (HQ is in Liepāja), the Coast Guard Ships Flotilla in Riga (subunits are in Liepāja and Ventspils), the Coastal Defense Battalion in Ventspils (subunits are along the coast of the Baltic Sea and Riga Bay), the Training Center in Liepāja, the Logistic Base in Liepāja (subunits are in Riga and Ventspils).

On 1 July 2004 Latvian Naval Forces were reorganized again and since that time they consist of the Naval Forces Headquarters, Naval Forces Flotilla HQ with subunits and the Coast Guard Service. The new structure organizes personnel training and specialization better than before, as well as shares greater responsibility between commanders.

As part of the program to equip the Naval Forces with modern assets, the first of a new generation of nationally made patrol vessels, made with German assistance, was launched in 2011.

== Mission == [[File:180602-N-XT273-968 (28660400598).jpg|thumb|Latvian and U.S. Navy officers on board a Latvian patrol craft during BALTOPS 2018 in Liepāja]] The Naval Force provides defense of the national territorial waters, carries out explosive ordnance disposal activities at sea and harbors, co-ordinates and carries out human search and rescue operations at sea within the national responsibility area. Warships of the Republic of Latvia have repeatedly made visits to foreign countries and have supported the visits of foreign warships and naval representatives in Latvia.

The warships of the Latvian Naval Forces Southern Region have participated in numerous international exercises (U.S. BALTOPS, COOPERATIVE JAGUAR, AMBER SEA, OPEN SPIRIT, etc.). These exercises have been conducted to NATO standards, which Latvian ships have successfully met.

The main tasks of Naval Forces are to: *Ensure the defense of the territorial sea and internal waters of the State (except rivers and lakes); *Perform a guarding of the coast and control the territorial sea and internal waters, as well as the exclusive economic zone; *Ensure the readiness of units for mobilization and combat; *Participate in ecological surveillance and search and rescue operations at sea, as well as take part in elimination of consequences of emergencies occurring at sea; *Search for explosives at sea and destroy them; *Secure for the State Border Guard according to the procedures specified by the Cabinet, with the technical means and vessels for the performance of their functions at sea.

== Navy Organization == [[File:The Orchestra of the Latvian Naval Forces01.JPG|thumb|The Latvian Naval Forces Orchestra in Daugavpils, 2009]]

* '''Navy'''<ref>{{cite web |title = Jūras spēki |url = https://www.mil.lv/lv/vienibas/juras-speki |publisher = Nacionālie bruņotie spēki |access-date = 13 April 2026}}</ref> ** Navy Headquarters, in Liepāja ** '''Coast Guard''', in Riga *** Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Center *** KA-01 ''Kristaps'' *** KA-06 ''Gaisma'' *** KA-07 ''Ausma'' *** KA-08 ''Saule'' *** KA-09 ''Klints'' *** KA-14 ''Astra'' ** '''Minesweeper Squadron''', in Liepāja *** A-53 ''Virsaitis'' *** M-04 ''Imanta'' *** M-05 ''Viesturs'' *** M-06 ''Tālivaldis'' *** M-07 ''Visvaldis'' *** M-08 ''Rūsiņš'' *** Naval Squadron Diver Team ** '''Patrol Boat Squadron''', in Riga *** A-90 ''Varonis'' *** P-05 ''Skrunda'' *** P-06 ''Cēsis'' *** P-07 ''Viesīte'' *** P-08 ''Jelgava'' *** P-09 ''Rēzekne'' ** Maritime Surveillance and Communications Service, in Liepāja ** Technical Support Center, in Liepāja ** Navy Band, in Liepāja

== Ships in the Naval Forces ==

=== Current === {| class="wikitable unsortable"

! Name ! Picture ! Origin ! Class ! Type ! Built ! Entered service (LNF) ! Notes

|- ! style="align:center;background:#E6E6E6;" colspan="8" | Staff and support (Auxiliary) |- | A-53 ''Virsaitis'' | 180px | {{flag|Norway}} | {{sclass|Vidar|minelayer|5}} | Minelayer | align="center" | 1978 | align="center" | 2003 | <ref>{{cite web |title=A-53 "VIRSAITIS" |url=https://www.mil.lv/lv/tehnika/53-virsaitis}}</ref> |- | A-90 ''Varonis'' | 180px | {{flag|Netherlands}} | {{sclass|Buyskes|hydrographic survey vessel|5}} | Hydrographic survey vessel | align="center" | 1973 | align="center" | 2004 | <ref>{{cite web |title=A-90 "Varonis" |url=https://www.mil.lv/lv/tehnika/90-varonis}}</ref>

|- ! style="align:center;background:#E6E6E6;" colspan="8" | Mine Warfare |- | M-04 ''Imanta'' | 180px |rowspan="5"| {{flag|Netherlands}} |rowspan="5"| {{sclass2|Tripartite|minehunter|5}} |rowspan="5"| Minehunter | align="center" | 1984 | align="center" | 2007 |<ref>{{cite web |title=M-04 "IMANTA" |url=https://www.mil.lv/lv/tehnika/m-04-imanta}}</ref> |- | M-05 ''Viesturs'' | 180px | align="center" | 1984 | align="center" | 2007 |<ref>{{cite web |title=M-05 "VIESTURS" |url=https://www.mil.lv/lv/tehnika/m-05-viesturs}}</ref> |- | M-06 ''Tālivaldis'' | 180px | align="center" | 1984 | align="center" | 2008 |<ref>{{cite web |title=M-06 "Tālivaldis" |url=https://www.mil.lv/lv/tehnika/m-06-talivaldis}}</ref> |- | M-07 ''Visvaldis'' | 180px | align="center" | 1984 | align="center" | 2008 |<ref>{{cite web |title=M-07 "Visvaldis" |url=https://www.mil.lv/lv/tehnika/m-07-visvaldis}}</ref> |- | M-08 ''Rūsiņš'' | 180px | align="center" | 1984 | align="center" | 2011 |<ref>{{cite web |title=M-08 "Rūsiņš" |url=https://www.mil.lv/lv/tehnika/m-08-rusins}}</ref>

|- ! style="align:center;background:#E6E6E6;" colspan="8" | Patrol |- | P-05 ''Skrunda'' | 180px |rowspan="2"| {{flag|Germany}} |rowspan="5"| {{sclass|Skrunda|patrol boat|5}} |rowspan="5"| Patrol boat | align="center" | 2011 | align="center" | 2011 |<ref>{{cite web |title=P-05 "Skrunda" |url=https://www.mil.lv/lv/tehnika/p-05-skrunda}}</ref> |- | P-06 ''Cēsis'' | | align="center" | 2011 | align="center" | 2011 |<ref>{{cite web |title=P-06 "Cēsis" |url=https://www.mil.lv/lv/tehnika/p-06-cesis}}</ref> |- | P-07 ''Viesīte'' | 180px |rowspan="3"| {{flag|Latvia}} | align="center" | 2011 | align="center" | 2012 |<ref>{{cite web |title=P-07 "Viesīte" |url=https://www.mil.lv/lv/tehnika/p-07-viesite}}</ref> |- | P-08 ''Jelgava'' | 180px | align="center" | 2013 | align="center" | 2013 |<ref>{{cite web |title=P-08 "Jelgava" |url=https://www.mil.lv/lv/tehnika/p-08-jelgava}}</ref> |- | P-09 ''Rēzekne'' |frameless | align="center" | 2013 | align="center" | 2014 |<ref>{{cite web |title=P-09 "Rēzekne" |url=https://www.mil.lv/lv/tehnika/p-09-rezekne}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=A day in the life of Latvian Naval Forces patrol ship “Rēzekne” |url=https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/defense/a-day-in-the-life-of-latvian-naval-forces-patrol-ship-rezekne.a338035/ |date=November 11, 2019 |access-date=9 July 2025 |website=LSM }}</ref> |- ! style="align:center;background:#E6E6E6;" colspan="8" | Coast guard |- | KA-01 ''Kristaps'' | KBV class Latvian coastal patrol boat "Kristaps"|180px |rowspan="5"| {{flag|Sweden}} |rowspan="6"| KBV |rowspan="6"| Coastal patrol boat | align="center" | 1964 | align="center" | 1993 |<ref>{{cite web |title=KA-01 "Kristaps" |url=https://www.mil.lv/lv/tehnika/ka-01-kristaps}}</ref> |- | KA-06 ''Gaisma'' | KBV class Latvian coastal patrol boat "Gaisma"|180px | align="center" | 1963 | align="center" | 1994 |<ref>{{cite web |title=KA-06 "Gaisma" |url=https://www.mil.lv/lv/tehnika/ka-06-gaisma}}</ref> |- | KA-07 ''Ausma'' | KBV class Latvian coastal patrol boat "Ausma"|180px | align="center" | 1963 | align="center" | 1994 |<ref>{{cite web |title=KA-07 "Ausma" |url=https://www.mil.lv/lv/tehnika/ka-07-ausma}}</ref> |- | KA-08 ''Saule'' | | align="center" | 1963 | align="center" | 1994 |<ref>{{cite web |title=KA-08 "Saule" |url=https://www.mil.lv/lv/tehnika/ka-08-saule}}</ref> |- | KA-09 ''Klints'' | | align="center" | 1963 | align="center" | 1994 |<ref>{{cite web |title=KA-09 "Klints" |url=https://www.mil.lv/lv/tehnika/ka-09-klints}}</ref> |- | KA-14 ''Astra'' | | {{flag|Finland}} | align="center" | 1996 | align="center" | 2001 |<ref>{{cite web |title=KA-14 "Astra" |url=https://www.mil.lv/lv/tehnika/ka-14-astra}}</ref> |}

=== Retired === {| class="wikitable unsortable" style="font-size:85%"

! Name ! Picture ! Origin ! Class ! Type ! Built ! Entered service (LNF) ! Left service (LNF) ! Notes |- ! style="align:center;background:#E6E6E6;" colspan="9" | Staff and support (Auxiliary) |- | A-18 ''Pērkons'' | | {{flag|Poland}} | Goliat | Tugboat | align="center" | 1960 | align="center" | 1993 | align="center" | 2011 | Sold to civilian buyers. |- ! style="align:center;background:#E6E6E6;" colspan="9" | Mine Warfare |- | M-01 ''Viesturs'' | 120px |rowspan="2"| {{flag|GDR}} |rowspan="2"| Kondor II |rowspan="2"| Minesweeper | align="center" | 1971 | align="center" | 1994 | align="center" | 2008 |Scrapped in 2016. |- | M-02 ''Imanta'' | | align="center" | 1971 | align="center" | 1994 | align="center" | 2008 |Scrapped in 2013. |- | M-03 ''Namejs'' | 120px | {{flag|FRG}} | {{sclass|Lindau|minehunter|5}} | Minehunter | align="center" | 1959 | align="center" | 1999 | align="center" | 2008 | Received from Germany in 1999. Handed over to Liepāja Maritime College in 2008.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Jākobsone |first1=Gunta |title=Karakuģi "Namejs" plānots izmantot topošo jūrnieku apmācībai |url=https://www.liepajniekiem.lv/zinas/sabiedriba/karakugi-namejs-planots-izmantot-toposo-jurnieku-apmacibai-18447 |website=www.liepajniekiem.lv |language=lv |date=16 June 2008}}</ref> |- | K/K ''Viesturs'' | |rowspan="2"| {{flag|France}} |rowspan="2"| {{Interlanguage link|Viesturs-class trawler|lt=Viesturs|pl|Trałowce typu Viesturs}} |rowspan="2"| Mine trawler | align="center" | 1926 | align="center" | 1926 | align="center" | 1940 | Built by A et C de la Loire in Nantes.<br>Seized by the Soviet Navy in 1940, scrapped after 1948<ref>{{Cite web |title=Траверз – Viesturs type |url=https://fleetphoto.ru/vessel/89764/ |access-date=2022-04-15 |website=fleetphoto.ru |language=en}}</ref> |- | K/K ''Imanta'' | | align="center" | 1926 | align="center" | 1926 | align="center" | 1940 | Built by A et C Augustin Normand in Le Havre.<br>Seized by the Soviet Navy in 1940, sunk 1 July 1941 west of Soela Strait<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2013-10-01 |title=Поход к "Вирсайтису" |url=http://www.baltic-course.com/rus/opinion/://www.baltic-course.com/rus/opinion/?doc=81373 |access-date=2022-04-15 |website=Балтийский курс {{!}} новости и аналитика}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Т-299 – Viesturs type |url=https://fleetphoto.ru/vessel/89729 |access-date=2022-04-15 |website=fleetphoto.ru |language=en}}</ref> |- ! style="align:center;background:#E6E6E6;" colspan="9" | Patrol |- | P-03 ''Linga'' | 120px |rowspan="4"| {{flag|Norway}} |rowspan="4"| {{sclass|Storm|patrol boat|5}} |rowspan="4"| Patrol boat | align="center" | 1968 | align="center" | | align="center" | 2012 |Awaiting deconstruction in scrapyard. |- | P-04 ''Bulta'' | | align="center" | 1967 | align="center" | | align="center" | 2011 | Scrapped in 2016 |- | P-01 ''Zibens'' | | align="center" | 1967 | align="center" | | align="center" | 2013 | Scrapped in 2016 and sold in January 2024 |- | P-02 ''Lode'' | | align="center" | 1967 | align="center" | | align="center" | 2013 | Sold to civilian buyers |- ! style="align:center;background:#E6E6E6;" colspan="9" | Coast guard |- | KA-02 ''Spulga'' | |rowspan="2"| {{flag|USSR}} |rowspan="2"| {{sclass2|Ribnadzor|patrol boat|4}} |rowspan="2"| Coastal patrol boat | align="center" | 1964 | align="center" | 1992 | align="center" | 2000 | Crashed at Swedish coast, scrapped in 2005. |- | KA-03 ''Komēta'' | | align="center" | 1964 | align="center" | 1992 | align="center" | 2007 | Sold to independent researchers in 2011. |- | KA-04 ''Sams'' | | {{flag|USSR}} | {{sclass2|Selga (project 728 fishing boat)|patrol boat|4}} | Coastal patrol boat | align="center" | 1974 | align="center" | 1991 | align="center" | 1998 | Scrapped in 2009. |- ! style="align:center;background:#E6E6E6;" colspan="9" | Submarines |- | ''Ronis'' | frameless|120x120px |rowspan="2"| {{flag|France}} |rowspan="2"| Ronis |rowspan="2"| Coastal submarine | align="center" | 1926 | align="center" | 1927 | align="center" | 1940 | Seized by the Soviet Navy in 1940, scuttled 24 June 1941 in Liepāja |- | ''Spīdola'' | frameless|120x120px | align="center" | 1926 | align="center" | 1927 | align="center" | 1940 | Seized by the Soviet Navy in 1940, scuttled 24 June 1941 in Liepāja |- ! style="align:center;background:#E6E6E6;" colspan="9" | Guardship |- | K/K ''Virsaitis'' | frameless|120x120px | {{flag|German Empire}} | M-class | Minesweeper | align="center" | 1917 | align="center" | 1921 | align="center" | 1940 | Former German ship ''M68''.<br>Seized by the Soviet Navy in 1940, sunk 2 December 1941 near Hanko |- ! style="align:center;background:#E6E6E6;" colspan="9" | Depot ship |- | K/K ''Varonis'' | | {{flag|German Empire}} | Unknown | Submarine tender | align="center" | 1908 | align="center" | 1926 | align="center" | 1940 | Former German ice breaker ''Passat''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Alvama |date=2014-07-13 |title=WARSHIPSRESEARCH: Russian [submarine] depot ship Varonis (1908) around 1944 |url=http://warshipsresearch.blogspot.com/2014/07/russian-submarine-depot-ship-varonis.html |access-date=2022-04-15 |website=WARSHIPSRESEARCH}}</ref><br>Seized by the Soviet Navy in 1940, sunk by a mine 28 August 1941 |}

== Ranks and insignia == {{main|Ranks and insignia of the Latvian National Armed Forces}}

{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;" |- style="background:lightsteelblue;" ! colspan=37| Officers of the Latvian Navy<ref name="ranks">{{cite web |title=Pakāpju iedalījums |url=https://www.mil.lv/lv/aktivais-dienests/dienesta-gaita/dienesta-pakapes/pakapju-iedalijums}}</ref><ref name="Ranks 2019">{{cite web |title=Dienesta pakāpju un uzvārda atšķirības zīmes |url=https://www.mod.gov.lv/sites/mod/files/document/forma_pakapes.pdf |access-date=24 April 2020 |language=lv |date=2019}}</ref> {{Ranks and Insignia of NATO Armies/OF/Blank}} {{Ranks and Insignia of NATO Navies/OF/Latvia}} |}

{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;" |- style="background:lightsteelblue;" ! colspan=37| Non-Commissioned Officers of the Latvian Navy<ref name="ranks"/><ref name="Ranks 2019"/> {{Ranks and Insignia of NATO Armies/OR/Blank}} {{Ranks and Insignia of NATO Navies/OR/Latvia}} |}

== See also == * Latvian Mercantile Marine during World War II

== References == {{Reflist}}

== External links == {{Commons category|Navy of Latvia}} *[http://www.mil.lv/ Latvian Ministry of Defense site] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20100727185050/http://www.mil.lv/Vienibas/Flotile.aspx Latvian Naval Forces Site]

{{Military of Latvia}} {{Navies in Europe}} {{Allied Maritime Command}} {{European Border and Coast Guard}} {{Authority control}}

Category:Military of Latvia Latvia Category:Military units and formations established in 1991 Category:1991 establishments in Latvia