Commander of Latvia’s National Armed Forces, Kaspars Pūdans, has suggested the possibility of revisiting the issue of mandatory conscription for women into the State Defense Service (SDS).
Pūdans stated that the SDS is currently on track to meet its goals — training 4,000 soldiers annually.
To ensure the necessary number of conscripts, it might become necessary to lower health requirements for certain roles, he noted.
“At some point, we may also have to return to the gender issue — the participation of women in mandatory conscription,” Pūdans said.
According to the law, Latvian male citizens are required to complete military service within a year after turning 18, or, if they are still in school, within a year of graduation — but no later than age 24. Meanwhile, both men and women aged 18 to 27 can serve voluntarily in the SDS.
In November, Latvian Defense Minister Andris Sprūds stated that the first potential mandatory conscription of women could begin in 2028.
