On Thursday, 26 March, the Saeima adopted in the final reading amendments to the Law on the Establishment of the Selonia Military Training Area to speed up the development of infrastructure on-site and strengthen Latvia’s defence capabilities.
The amendments set out a special legal framework for the construction of the military base, road infrastructure, and a military supply warehouse complex in Nīkrāce. The logistics complex is scheduled to be operational in 2029, while the military base and training area roads are set to be completed by 2030. These facilities are strategically important both for the development of the National Armed Forces and for hosting NATO allied forces and providing training on Latvian soil.
The infrastructure construction timeline has been significantly shortened. For example, the construction of the military base, training area roads, and warehouse complex will proceed under a notification procedure, allowing work to begin without going through the building permit issuance process. Similarly, state and local government institutions will be required to prioritise decisions related to the project, while infrastructure can be designed and built across multiple land parcels, which shall be combined by the time the structures are placed into operation.
The amendments provide for an exception to public procurement regulations to significantly shorten procedures. Estimates show that the application of standard procurement procedures would delay the project’s implementation by at least 11 months, which could drive costs up by EUR 10 million, the Ministry of Defence has noted.
To ensure the project is implemented within the required timeframe, a public-private partnership model is planned to be used. This will be organised by the State Joint Stock Company “State Real Estate”, which will oversee the design, construction, and maintenance processes on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.
Russia’s aggression in Ukraine and growing military tensions in Europe require Latvia to strengthen its defence infrastructure and capacity to host allied forces as quickly as possible, as previously noted by members of the Defence Committee which was responsible for the amendments.
The development of the Selonia Military Training Area is a key defence infrastructure project for Latvia. It will provide broader training opportunities for the National Armed Forces, allow for the hosting of brigade-level NATO allied units, and strengthen Latvia’s and NATO’s deterrence and defence capabilities.
Saeima Press Service