The Canadian-led enhanced forward presence group in Latvia will be increased to the level of a multinational brigade. The brigade is expected to reach full combat readiness by 2026 and will have a total of about 3,500 allied troops. At the same time, allied troops from other operations are also deployed in Latvia, bringing the total number of deployed NATO troops to around 5,000 in the next two years, the Minister said.
On Wednesday, a ceremony was held at the military base in Ādaži to mark the increase of the NATO Enhanced Presence in Latvia to the brigade level.
Sprūds said that Latvia was the first Baltic country to inaugurate the establishment of a NATO multinational brigade.
"Together with our lead partner Canada, we are moving forward with a roadmap on how they will bring in their force of 2,200 troops in 2026. At the same time, we have a Danish contingent coming in during the summer, we have a Swedish contingent coming in at the turn of the year, rotating with the Danish contingent. At the moment, Latvia has a total of about 3,000 allied troops, but this number will certainly increase in the coming months and years," the Minister said.
Sprūds said that the brigade would be based in Ādaži, while the headquarters would be located in "Ceri" in Mārupe municipality. The brigade will undergo training at the Sēlija training ground.
