NATO Signals “Ready Now” in Riga: Eastern Sentry Active, Latvia Details New Air- and Coastal-Defence Upgrades
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NATO’s top military officer and Latvia’s defence chief delivered a united message in Riga on 27 September 2025: the Alliance is cohesive, ready, and already responding to Russian provocations. Chair of the NATO Military Committee Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone praised Latvia’s hosting and said the Baltics are the right place and moment for this signal of solidarity. He commended Allied forces and SACEUR for swift interceptions after recent Russian airspace and drone violations. Cavo Dragone announced that the newly established Eastern Sentry activity is operational, boosting NATO’s ability to react “quickly and decisively.” He warned that every threat to NATO air, land, and sea space will prompt a resolute, proportionate response.
While stressing NATO does not seek confrontation, he underlined that collective defence actions will be taken when necessary. He tied frontline vigilance to unwavering support for Ukraine, calling Ukrainians’ fight “our fight.” The Admiral said lessons from Ukraine are accelerating Allied investment in sensors, weapons, and both kinetic and non-kinetic tools. All Allies are expected to meet or exceed the 2% of GDP defence benchmark this year, he noted. He added that leaders at The Hague set a longer-term commitment to invest 5% of GDP annually in core defence requirements and defence/security-related investment by 2035.
The Military Committee reviewed how to integrate these investment pledges into NATO’s regional plans and enablement path. Cavo Dragone highlighted deeper transatlantic defence-industrial cooperation to harness emerging technology and spur innovation. He also flagged priorities to protect critical infrastructure and counter hybrid threats, including cyberattacks on airports. The Admiral argued that military measures must be matched by stronger civil preparedness in a “whole-of-society” defence culture.
Latvia’s Chief of Defence, Lieutenant General Kaspars Pudāns, said recent Russian breaches are part of a wider intimidation campaign testing NATO unity. He affirmed Latvia’s principle of “fight tonight,” stressing readiness even as Allies hope for peace. Pudāns detailed Latvian procurements: advanced medium-range air-defence systems, coastal-defence missiles, and modern rocket artillery. He said Latvia is a frontrunner in autonomous systems and drone integration to enhance awareness, precision, and flexibility. A layered air-defence network is being fielded to detect, track, and neutralise hostile threats over Latvian territory.
Pudāns credited Ukraine’s resilience and adaptation as proof these measures work and vowed continued Latvian support to Kyiv. He called Eastern Sentry a concrete framework that strengthens posture, deepens Allied cooperation, and signals unity to any adversary. Closing, Cavo Dragone thanked Allied CHODs, SACEUR and SACT, saying the conference’s leitmotif is simple: “stronger together, now.”
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