Colonel Raivis Melnis has already agreed to become the Minister of Defense. However, he still needs to be approved by the Saeima.
Melnis has served in the National Armed Forces for nearly two decades – since 1998. He received military education in London, has international service experience, and currently serves as the representative of the Ministry of Defense in Ukraine.
Since February 13, he has been an informal consultant to Prime Minister Silin on military cooperation issues. By that time, he had risen to the position of Deputy Commander of the Land Forces of the Joint Headquarters of the National Armed Forces of the Republic of Latvia.
His task is to advise Silin on the development and implementation of state policy in the military sphere, as well as to consult the Prime Minister as needed.
Melnis has appeared in public infrequently. A year ago, he attended a meeting of the Saeima committees, where he reported that uncontrolled anti-personnel mines would be an additional element of state protection.
"Anti-personnel mines prevent enemy infantry from mass penetrating areas where we do not want to see them. It is the infantry that ultimately secures territorial capture. With such means, we would hinder this, of course, also using artillery, mortars, and all other weaponry," emphasized the colonel.
At the same time, Melnis noted that anti-personnel mines are not a miracle solution that will solve all tasks in the defense of the state.
The state has not forgotten the merits of Colonel Melnis. In 2017, while serving as the commander of the 1st Mechanized Infantry Battalion of the Mechanized Infantry Brigade of the National Armed Forces, he became a knight of the Order of Viesturs.
