Latvia plans to buy 3 minesweepers from its NATO partners

Latvia plans to buy three or four minesweepers for its navy from its NATO partners, the information service of Latvia's armed forces Wednesday told Rosbalt. The press office said talks would begin shortly with Germany, the Netherlands and Italy on the acquisition of used minesweepers. The cost of a 10-year-old minesweeper was given as euro 13 million.

According to the press office, Latvia needs at least three battle-ready minesweepers for regular patrols in the Baltic Sea and participation in NATO and similar exercises. Latvia currently has three minesweepers in its fleet. The three are considered highly limited and are nearing the end of their normal life-spans.