# Latvian Land Forces

The Latvian Land Forces (Latvian: Sauszemes spēki, SzS) together with the Latvian National Guard form the land warfare branch of the Latvian National Armed Forces. From 2007 to 2024, the Land Forces were organized as a fully professional standing army until the re-introduction of conscription.

## Mission

The main missions of the national Land Forces are to:
* Provide for the defense of all national territories;
* Ensure combat readiness and the mobilization of units;
* Dispose of explosive ordnance;
* Provide public assistance.

## Structure

* Land Forces Mechanized Infantry Brigade
** Headquarters (SzS KBde)
** Headquarters and Signal Company (SzS KBde Štāba un sakaru rota)
** 1st Mechanized Infantry Battalion (LATBAT, 1. MKB)
*** Headquarters and Support Company
*** 1st Mechanized Infantry Company
*** 2nd Mechanized Infantry Company
*** 3rd Mechanized Infantry Company
*** Combat Service Support Company
** 2nd Mechanized Infantry Battalion (2. MKB)
*** Headquarters and Support Company
*** 1st Mechanized Infantry Company
*** 2nd Mechanized Infantry Company
*** 3rd Mechanized Infantry Company
*** Combat Service Support Company
** 3rd Infantry Battalion (trains active service soldiers, national guardsmen and reserve soldiers, 3. KB)
*** Headquarters and Support Company
*** 1st Infantry Company
*** 2nd Infantry Company
*** 3rd Infantry Company
*** Combat Service Support Company
** Artillery Unit (M109A5Ö howitzers, Artilērijas divizions)
** Combat Support Battalion (KAB)
*** Staff and Signal Company
*** Anti-tank Company (Spike-LR missiles)
*** Fire Support Company
*** Engineer Company
*** Military Intelligence Company
*** Forward Air Control Unit
** Combat Service Support Battalion (KNB)
*** Staff and Signal Company
*** Supply and Transport Company
*** Technical Support and Maintenance Company
*** Medical Company

## Cooperation

Since 1996 the National Armed Forces' soldiers have been deployed on nine international peace-keeping missions in Afghanistan, Albania, Bosnia, Central African Republic, Georgia, Iraq, Kosovo, North Macedonia and Somalia. Starting from January 1, 2015, Latvian Armed Forces are taking part in EU's Nordic Battle Group. On March 29, 2004, Latvia became a full member of NATO.

## Rank structure

The rank structure of the Latvian army is adjusted to the rank structure of the NATO countries in Europe. Rank insignia are worn historically on the collars and today also on shoulder marks. Starting 2016, only the Staff Battalion wears the collar insignia.

### Commissioned officer ranks

The following are the current insignia of commissioned officers.
| NATO code | OF-10 | OF-10 | OF-9 | OF-9 | OF-8 | OF-8 | OF-7 | OF-7 | OF-6 | OF-6 | OF-5 | OF-5 | OF-4 | OF-4 | OF-3 | OF-3 | OF-2 | OF-2 | OF-1 | OF-1 | OF-1 | OF-1 | OF-1 | OF-1 |
| Latvian Land Forces vte | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Latvian Land Forces vte | | | | | Ģenerāl­leitnants | Ģenerāl­leitnants | Ģenerāl­majors | Ģenerāl­majors | Brigādes ģenerālis | Brigādes ģenerālis | Pulkvedis | Pulkvedis | Pulkvež­leitnants | Pulkvež­leitnants | Majors | Majors | Kapteinis | Kapteinis | Virs­leitnants | Virs­leitnants | Virs­leitnants | Leitnants | Leitnants | Leitnants |

### Other ranks

The rank insignia of non-commissioned officers and enlisted personnel.
| NATO code | OR-9 | OR-9 | OR-9 | OR-9 | OR-9 | OR-9 | OR-8 | OR-8 | OR-7 | OR-7 | OR-6 | OR-6 | OR-6 | OR-6 | OR-6 | OR-6 | OR-5 | OR-5 | OR-5 | OR-5 | OR-5 | OR-5 | OR-4 | OR-4 | OR-4 | OR-4 | OR-3 | OR-3 | OR-2 | OR-2 | OR-2 | OR-2 | OR-2 | OR-2 | OR-1 | OR-1 |
| Latvian Land Forces vte | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Latvian Land Forces vte | Augstākais virsseržants | Augstākais virsseržants | Augstākais virsseržants | Augstākais virsseržants | Augstākais virsseržants | Augstākais virsseržants | Galvenais virsseržants | Galvenais virsseržants | Štāba virsseržants | Štāba virsseržants | Virsseržants | Virsseržants | Virsseržants | Virsseržants | Virsseržants | Virsseržants | Seržants | Seržants | Seržants | Seržants | Seržants | Seržants | Kaprālis | Kaprālis | Kaprālis | Kaprālis | Dižkareivis | Dižkareivis | Kareivis | Kareivis | Kareivis | Kareivis | Kareivis | Kareivis | | |