On Thursday, December 19, the Saeima confirmed Brigade General Kaspars Pudāns as the Commander of the National Armed Forces (NAF).

Kaspars Pudāns has over 20 years of service experience in the NAF, having served in the Land Forces, the National Guard, and the NAF Joint Headquarters. Since February of last year, Pudāns has been performing the duties of the Commander of the National Guard. He received his military education at the Latvian National Defence Academy and the Baltic Defence College in Estonia, furthering his knowledge at infantry schools in the United States and France. Pudāns holds a bachelor’s degree in law and a master’s degree in comprehensive quality management. His international service experience includes participation in the international operation in Afghanistan, as well as fulfilling military representative duties at the NATO/EU Military Representation in Brussels.

According to the National Armed Forces Law, the Saeima appoints the NAF Commander for a four-year term and can dismiss them upon the proposal of the President of Latvia. The current NAF Commander, Leonīds Kalniņš, will conclude his second term in office as the Commander of the Latvian Army on January 26.

Saeima Press Service