On June 2, 2026, the Latvian Cabinet approved Airis Rikveilis as the new State Secretary of the Ministry of Defence. Rikveilis has over 25 years of professional experience in national security, defense policy, international cooperation, and strategic communications. He previously served as defense advisor in various capacities including at the Latvian Embassy in Washington, NATO, and the EU. His education includes a NATO Defense College course, a master's degree in global security from the US Naval Postgraduate School, and degrees in social sciences and arts from Latvian institutions. The previous State Secretary, Aivars Puriņš, resigned effective May 31, 2026. Until now, Rolands Heniņš, the Ministry's policy director and deputy state secretary, also fulfilled some state secretary duties.

On June 2, 2026, the Latvian Cabinet approved Airis Rikveilis as the new State Secretary of the Ministry of Defence. Rikveilis has over 25 years of professional experience in national security, defense policy, international cooperation, and strategic communications. He previously served as defense advisor in various capacities including at the Latvian Embassy in Washington, NATO, and the EU. His education includes a NATO Defense College course, a master's degree in global security from the US Naval Postgraduate School, and degrees in social sciences and arts from Latvian institutions. The previous State Secretary, Aivars Puriņš, resigned effective May 31, 2026. Until now, Rolands Heniņš, the Ministry's policy director and deputy state secretary, also fulfilled some state secretary duties.