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Latvia's defense concept is based upon four basic pillars--collective defense as a member of NATO, professionalization of the armed forces, support and coordination with civil society, and international military cooperation. The armed forces consist of the land forces brigade with one deployable battalion, an air force focused on air surveillance and search and rescue, and naval forces focused on costal surveillance, assertion of sovereignty, mine countermeasures, and search and rescue. The land forces, navy, and air force comprise approximately 7,000 personnel. The "zemessardze," or home guard, is an autonomous 13,890-man-strong volunteer reserve organization which performs traditional national guard duties such as crisis response and support to military operations. There is a mandatory 1-year draft period of active duty, and alternative conscription for conscientious objectors is available. The Latvian National Armed Forces will be fully professional by the beginning of 2007. Defense spending has risen in recent years, and the government has committed 2% of its GDP for defense spending through 2008. |
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