From September 23 to 25 of this year, the National Armed Forces training ground "Mežaine" hosted the special tactical exercises organized by the State Police Special Tasks Battalion (SUB) titled "Execution of a Special Operation to Liquidate Mass Disturbances and Neutralization of Armed Criminals in an Urban Environment."
The objective of the exercises was to strengthen the capacity of the Special Tasks Battalion and improve readiness to react to security threats through cooperation with other police structural units and by promoting cross-border collaboration.
The special tactical exercises were conducted under high-risk, real-life conditions, testing the compatibility of SUB's operational tactics with other State Police structural units, as well as with the special tasks and quick reaction units from Estonia and Lithuania. This work improved response algorithms and cooperation mechanisms for cases involving mass disturbances and the neutralization of armed diversionary groups instigated by external forces.
During the tactical drills, a special operation was rehearsed based on a scenario where a diversionary group, armed with automatic weapons and inspired by the special services of third countries, used the cover of widespread mass disturbances to carry out a mass shooting with a high number of casualties, and attempted to seize a specific administrative territory using methods characteristic of terrorism.
The exercises involved more than 400 representatives from Latvian and foreign law enforcement institutions, including the State Police Special Tasks Battalion, the State Police Riga Regional Board and Zemgale Regional Board, the Technical Support Management Department, the State Police College, the Emergency Medical Service, as well as experts from the quick reaction units of the Republic of Lithuania and the Republic of Estonia.
The exercise organizers express their gratitude for the support provided by the soldiers and personnel of the National Guard's 4th Kurzeme Brigade, the Emergency Medical Service, and the State Police College.
The realization of such extensive and vital exercises would not be possible without the support of the EU Internal Security Fund (ISF). The training was implemented within the framework of Project No. VP/IDF/2023/5, "Improving the Capacity and Material-Technical Provision of Operational Management Units and the Special Tasks Batallion (SUB)," with a total funding of 1,298,228 euros, of which the ISF provided 973,671 euros, and the state budget provided 324,557 euros. The project implementation period runs from July 1, 2023, to December 31, 2025.
By investing in national internal security, the EU directly strengthens the resilience of both Latvia and the entire region against hybrid threats and attempted acts of terrorism. This investment is a direct demonstration of the solidarity and commitment of the unified EU to protect its citizens.
Photos: Artūrs Blomkalns/State Police
More photos can be found here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/valstspolicija/albums/72177720329269806/.
