Construction of Latvia's Sēlija military base proceeding according to schedule
The Sēlija military training ground, located in Latvia, is undergoing a significant two-phase construction project that promises to establish a modern, state-of-the-art facility. Spanning nearly 26,000 hectares, the training ground is set to become the largest in the Baltics.
The first phase of construction is currently underway, with the Minister of Defence, Andris Sprūds (Progressives), confirming that the works are progressing according to plan. This phase includes the construction of a maneuvering area, ammunition depot, firing ranges, and temporary housing for soldiers. The plan is to set up firing lines for direct fire of various calibers, allowing training for units ranging from battalion to brigade size. Up to 1,000 soldiers are expected to be deployed initially, with the aim of facilitating sizable unit training up to a full brigade.
A key feature of the first phase is the construction of a 1,500-meter firing range, three shooting ranges, and an unexploded ordnance area. The future base will also have a large pond for firefighting and draining the area, which is still under active construction. The training ground boasts a complex forest road system, providing easy access to different parts of the site.
The second phase of construction, scheduled to begin from 2026, will focus on enhancing the facility with a maneuvering corridor, depots, barracks, a canteen, a medical center, and other support infrastructure. This phase is expected to further modernize and expand the capacity and capability for military exercises.
The Sēlija training ground is designed to support national defence needs and international cooperation. It is anticipated that not only Baltic states’ forces but also Western allies’ units will train there in the future. The training ground represents a substantial investment into Latvia’s military infrastructure, emphasizing interoperability and scale comparable to brigade-level exercises.
The area surrounding the Sēlija training ground will become closed, and people will no longer be able to move around freely, including mushroom picking and berry picking. Soldiers will not be permanently stationed at the training area but will come for specific training or exercise periods to work in realistic conditions.
The future Sēlija base site will be larger than the Ādaži military base, making it the largest in the Baltics. It is planned that up to EUR 400 million will be invested in the Sēlija base. The Ministry of Defence already owns almost all the land needed for the first phase of the training ground, with work underway to acquire the remaining land.
The Sēlija training ground will primarily be used for training the National Armed Forces and allied units, with soldiers from Lithuania and Estonia also expected to train there. An artillery observation tower, yet unfinished, will be used for soldiers to see hit sites in the future. The training ground will have an unexploded ordnance zone with targets like old cars, sea containers, and embankments for precision shooting practice.
In summary, the Sēlija training ground development encompasses land acquisition, a progressing first phase focused on core training facilities and soldier accommodation, and a second phase aiming to build extensive support infrastructure for a fully operational training base. The project aspires to become a leading military training site in the Baltic region within the next decade.
- The European Union (EU) is expected to contribute finance to the development of the Sēlija training ground, making it a significant investment into Latvia's military infrastructure.
- The modern, state-of-the-art facility at the Sēlija training ground will, upon its completion, serve as a media hub for broadcasting key military training exercises, providing insights into military operations to a global audience.
- The radio communications infrastructure at the Sēlija training ground will be integrated with other regional and international military networks, ensuring seamless coordination and communication during joint military exercises among the Baltic states and Western allies.
