The purpose of the training is to train and improve the interoperability of maritime, terrestrial, and air forces and the integration of operations, as well as procedures for requesting maritime indirect fire support in order to ensure the fulfillment of defense tasks within the framework of the NATO collective defense plan.
These drills have been organized since 2007. Along with Latvian soldiers and national guards, approximately 30 ships, submarines, 15 aircraft and more than 3,000 soldiers will participate in the training. The exercises will include soldiers from all NATO countries in the Baltic Sea region, as well as the US, Canada, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, and also Sweden, who will soon join the alliance. By September 11, 26 Allied warships will arrive at Riga Freeport.
Maris Polenz, Commander of the Marine Corps, stated: "From 2007 onwards, it was a small training in terms of participating states. [..] This is the first time I think there is such an ambitious participation in training. This is the most serious event in the history of these exercises."
Within the framework of the military training “Northern Coasts 2023”, intensive movement of Latvian and allied soldiers and military equipment will take place in Rīga port territory, Ādaži military base and Kurzeme region, including on the Kurzeme coast, as well as military aircraft will fly in Latvian airspace. Residents are asked not to be alarmed.
The training will run until September 24.
