US bomb disposal boat joins Latvian navy: a Baltic alliance strengthened
- Security abroad means security at home, emphasized Lieutenant Colonel Ross Kastner, head of the US Embassy's Defense Cooperation Office, during the official handover of a modern bomb disposal boat to the Latvian navy.
In brief
The Latvian Navy received in the port of Liepāja an American nine-metre explosive ordnance disposal boat capable of speeds of up to 39 knots. The value of the support, including equipment, spare parts and diver training, amounted to 500 thousand dollars. A team of American instructors arrived in Latvia on 10 March, and training will continue until 14 March. Lieutenant Colonel Ross Kastner of the Office of Defense Cooperation at the US Embassy said the equipment will be used to neutralise unexploded ordnance from Second World War wrecks.
The handover took place on March 13 in the Latvian port of Liepaja. The American donation includes a nine-meter-long boat capable of reaching speeds of up to 39 knots, along with equipment, spare parts, and specialized training for Latvian divers. The support is valued at $500,000.
Captain Jānis Balčūns, officer in charge of the mine countermeasures squadron’s diver command group, expressed his gratitude for the support from the US ally:
- We highly appreciate the continuous support and long-term cooperation with the US. This donation provides our specialists with the necessary equipment and training, significantly enhancing underwater security and enabling the effective disposal of unexploded ordnance.
Lieutenant Colonel Ross Kastner highlighted the strategic importance of the new equipment for the Baltic Sea region:
- This modern equipment will play a crucial role in transporting and neutralizing unexploded ordnance from World War II shipwrecks, thereby improving the safety of Latvian waters. Supporting our allies in ensuring maritime security also helps reduce risks that could threaten US security and economic stability.
The United States has been supporting the development of Latvia's armed forces for over 20 years. In 2024 alone, US support in defense cooperation amounted to $82 million. The donated boat will enhance the operations of the mine countermeasures squadron, facilitating inspections of wrecks and the disposal of unexploded ordnance, ensuring open and secure maritime routes for Latvia and NATO.
A team of American instructors arrived in Latvia on March 10 to prepare the boat for launch and conduct intensive theoretical and practical training for Latvian divers, which will last until March 14.
- A stronger Latvian navy contributes to regional stability and deters potential threats. Removing unexploded ordnance and securing key maritime routes protects military operations, supply chains, and investments for NATO and the US in Europe, concluded Lieutenant Colonel Kastner.
Source: Aizsardzības ministrija / Gazeta Morska · Compiled by: Kamil Kusier
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