Up to 5000 NATO troops will be deployed in Latvia in the coming years
In the coming years, about 5,000 NATO troops will be deployed in Latvia.
This was stated by Latvian Defense Minister Andris Spruds, LSM reports.
The Canadian-led battlegroup of the expanded presence in Latvia will be increased to the level of a multinational brigade. It is expected that the brigade will reach full combat readiness by 2026 and will consist of about 3,500 soldiers. At the same time, NATO troops are also deployed in Latvia as part of other operations, bringing their total number to about 5,000 in the next two years, the minister said.
On Wednesday, a ceremony was held at the Adazhi military base to mark the beginning of the increase in NATO's presence in Latvia to the level of a brigade.
Spruds noted that Latvia is the first Baltic country to establish a multinational NATO brigade.
The main location of the brigade will be the Adazhi military base, its headquarters will be located in Ceri, Marupi region, and major exercises will be held at the Selia training ground.
At a ceremony at the Adazi base on Wednesday, the commander of NATO's Multinational Division North, Major General Jette Albinus, emphasized that it was an important day when representatives of 14 NATO countries would begin arriving in Latvia.
Author - Olena Madiak, 03/07/2024
