Canadian-led NATO Multinational Brigade – Latvia (MNB-LVA) is Helping Defend NATO’s Eastern Flank
CDR recently sent Senior Staff Writer, Joetey Attariwala, to Latvia to visit the Canadian-led NATO multinational force stationed at Camp Ādaži, a force which has evolved into a key component of NATO’s collective defence strategy to safeguard its Eastern flank. Here is our exclusive, first-hand report.
By Joetey Attariwala
As part of NATO’s commitment to safeguard member nations and adhere to an international rules-based order, the multinational force plays a central role in demonstrating solidarity with Latvia and its neighbouring countries, particularly in response to Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine. This mission has not only strengthened NATO’s deterrence capabilities but also solidifies Canada’s long-standing commitment to peace and security.
The Canadian-led NATO multinational battlegroup has now transitioned into the Canadian-led NATO Multinational Brigade – Latvia (MNB-LVA). Canada is the framework nation for the NATO MNB-LVA, and it provides the largest portion of personnel and equipment to the Brigade, including the Brigade Command position.
Canada’s contributions to the Brigade are coordinated under Operation REASSURANCE, which is the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) largest overseas mission. Through Operation REASSURANCE, the CAF contributes to NATO deterrence and defence measures in Central and Eastern Europe and is part of the largest reinforcement of Alliance collective defence in a generation.
READ: CDR EMBEDDED – Lieutenant-Colonel DANNY VINCENT
THE ORIGIN’S OF NATO’S ENHANCED FORWARD PRESENCE (eFP) – Multinational Brigade – Latvia
The story of the Canadian-led NATO Multinational Brigade begins in 2016 when Allied Heads of State and Government decided to establish NATO’s enhanced Forward Presence (eFP) along the Alliance’s eastern flank. Canada’s contribution to this was establishing and leading the NATO Multinational Battlegroup Latvia (formerly known as eFP Battlegroup Latvia) in 2017, which operated under the command of a Latvian Mechanized Infantry Brigade.
This strategic deployment was conceived as a direct response to the growing security concerns in Eastern Europe following Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014 and its continued destabilizing actions in Ukraine. Under the eFP initiative, NATO deployed four multinational battlegroups to the Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and to Poland. These battlegroups were intended to act as a robust deterrent against any potential aggression, serving both as a visible and effective military presence in the region, as well as providing reassurance to NATO’s eastern members.
Canada took the lead for NATO in Latvia, assuming the responsibility for the deployment and command of a multinational battlegroup. The battlegroup is stationed at Camp Ādaži Military Base which is northeast of Riga, and is composed of troops from several NATO allies to defend Latvia and deter any potential threats to its sovereignty.
The initial Battlegroup in 2017 was formed with troops, equipment and weapons from Canada, Spain, Poland, Italy, Slovenia and Albania. In 2018, Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Montenegro joined the Battlegroup, followed by Iceland in 2020, North Macedonia in 2022 and Denmark in 2024.
BATTLEGROUP TO BRIGADE: SCALING UP CAPABILITY
The eFP mission was effective, but the context surrounding NATO’s eastern flank changed drastically with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. This unprovoked aggression not only highlighted the urgent need for stronger deterrence but also underscored the necessity of rethinking NATO’s posture on its eastern flank. The battlegroups, while an important element of NATO’s defence strategy, were now considered too small to respond effectively to the scale of the threat posed by Russia.
In response to these growing concerns, NATO decided to strengthen its presence in the region and adapt to the evolving security situation. As a result, NATO sought to upgrade its presence in the Baltic States from battlegroups to full-fledged brigades, with Canada remaining the framework nation in Latvia. This change is a natural evolution of the mission and provides NATO with a much larger and more capable formation that is more responsive to potential threats.
Under the command of NATO’s Multinational Division North, the Canadian-led NATO MNB-LVA was officially established at a ceremony held at the Camp Ādaži Military Base on July 3rd, 2024.
On 17 October 2024, a change of command of the NATO Multinational Battlegroup Latvia took place. Previously under the command of Latvia’s Mechanized Infantry Brigade, the Multinational Battlegroup Latvia was transferred to the command of the NATO Multinational Brigade – Latvia. This means that another combat-capable brigade is now deployed in Latvia, which significantly strengthens NATO’s deterrence and defence capabilities in the region.
The NATO MNB-LVA is currently composed of personnel from 13 contributing nations that include: Canada, Albania, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Spain. Sweden will join the Brigade in 2025. With these members, the Brigade is now better equipped to carry out sustained defensive operations and can rapidly integrate reinforcements if necessary, ensuring that Latvia — and by extension, NATO’s Eastern flank — is well-prepared for any eventuality. The Brigade build-up in Latvia is projected to be completed in 2025, and Canada is expected to complete the full implementation of persistently deployed Brigade capabilities by 2026.
Unlike most NATO members, Canada’s geography poses logistical challenges to support the Brigade, and it is therefore pre-positioning a considerable amount of vehicles and equipment in Latvia. In fact, during our visit to Camp Ādaži, we witnessed a new batch of Canadian Army vehicles and equipment arrive via commercial shipping and flatbed trucks. The pre-positioning of vehicles and equipment is essential for the Brigade’s preparedness and can be energized by additional soldiers from Canada as and if necessary.
CDR had the opportunity to speak with Colonel Cédric Aspirault, the first commander of the NATO MNB-LVA. “It is extremely important for me that I integrate every single country within the brigade, so one of the first things that I’ve done is un-Canadianize the way that we are doing things. We make sure that we are following NATO standards — I want to make sure that when I publish orders, it’s within a framework or format that everybody is able to understand. I really want to make sure that the other countries did not have to learn the Canadian way to do things, but mostly let’s keep it the NATO way to do things. Canadians are team builders — Canadians integrate others easily, and that’s what we’ve done here. If we look at my headquarters, every directorate or every position has different countries within it.”
Multinational Brigade – Latvia – MNB-LVA: A UNIFIED FORCE FOR DETERRENE & DEFENCE
Today, the Canadian-led NATO Multinational Brigade in Latvia represents a major element of NATO’s presence on the Eastern flank. It consists of several thousand troops from NATO allies and partner nations, who bring with them a diverse range of military capabilities. The brigade is equipped with modern weaponry, armored vehicles, artillery, and air support, enabling it to conduct complex operations in a variety of scenarios.
With that said, there is always room for improvement, and Colonel Aspirault shared some specific areas that his team is focused on. “There’s a few things that we are discovering while we are building the Brigade. For example, we need to get better at communications. We are great at it, but we need to be faster, so there’s a few things that we are working on. I’m not naive, working with 14 other countries brings challenges on communications, logistics, medical and some of the support. However, the teams are always on solution mode. It takes a bit more time, however the solutions that are brought forward are truly solutions for the long term.”
The brigade’s presence at Camp Ādaži Military Base was a strategic choice due to its location as it builds upon the existing training area of the National Armed Forces of Latvia. Camp Ādaži provides the perfect staging ground for rapid-response forces and serves as the operational heart of the multinational brigade. That said, the base and adjacent training area is at capacity, particularly with the establishment of the Brigade, so new operating areas have been defined, which include a new location for the Brigade Headquarters.
“Camp Ādaži is a great camp with a training area, but it’s limited in space for people and equipment storage and all of that. So, Canada decided to invest in other infrastructure,” Aspirault told CDR. “There is more infrastructure here on camp, but there is also a new camp that they are building west of Riga. We call it Camp Ceri, and that will be able to accommodate up to 700 people. So, we’ll see the brigade headquarters and some of the troops moving from Ādaži to Ceri, in order to work elsewhere, but also create more space for us and the headquarters… The new camp is linked with the National Guard, and we are working together, so everything that we are doing here is with Latvian authorities and the Latvian forces.”
The recent addition of a Tactical Air Detachment (TAD) of four CH-146 Griffon helicopters to Latvia has also been a boost to the capabilities of the NATO force. These helicopters are currently operating from Riga International Airport, however this location will change in due course when the TAD relocates to Lielvārde Air Base in Latvia. It is also expected that Canada will periodically deploy its CH-147 Chinook helicopters as part of the TAD.
“Riga International is a civilian airport so it’s harder to operate, but they are extremely helpful,” said Aspirault. “What’s going to happen is we are also building a new infrastructure within the Latvian Air Force Base, and once that is completed, the Tactical Aviation Detachment will move from the civilian airport to the Latvian Air Force airport.”
BRIGADE PREPAREDNESS, TRAINING & STRENGTHENING ALLIANCES
All NATO Brigades on the Eastern flank have a laser focus on joint training and exercises. Readers will note that the last issue of CDR featured an exclusive report on Exercise Silver Arrow, the last large-scale exercise of the Canadian-led NATO multinational battlegroup.
Elements of that battlegroup are now part of the Canada-led NATO MNB-LVA, and soldiers of the brigade participate in frequent drills, including live-fire exercises and tactical maneuvers designed to hone their combat readiness. These exercises are conducted not only in Latvia but across the region, involving NATO’s broader military community.
“We seize opportunities to train together, and it’s also great opportunities for troops to visit other countries,” Aspirault told CDR. “There’s many things that we’ve done with Estonia, for example, where we go to train in their training area; and we will invite them to be our opposing force so we can fight each other — but also learn from each other — and train at a very high level.”
The multinational aspect of the brigade is a key strength in itself. By working alongside forces from various NATO member states, soldiers from different countries learn to adapt to each other’s operating procedures, communication systems, and cultural norms. This enhances NATO’s overall cohesion and readiness, ensuring that all members are prepared for collective action when needed.
Such training is geared toward ensuring that the brigade can respond quickly and effectively to crises. For instance, in the event of a heightened threat, the brigade is capable of coordinating with NATO’s rapid reaction forces, providing reinforcements, and integrating them into the defence of the Baltic states within a matter of days.
In addition, the brigade plays a crucial role in strengthening NATO’s relationships with its partners in the region. Denmark, for example, forms a large element of the Canadian-led NATO MNB-LVA, and it will split its commitment with Sweden where each will be embedded as a key member of the brigade on a 6-month rotational basis.
READ: Canadian-led NATO MNB-LVA Completes First Major Field Training Exercise
EXERCISE RESOLUTE WARRIOR 2024
Exercise Resolute Warrior 2024 was the first major field training exercise for the Canadian-led NATO MNB-LVA since its formation. Conducted across Central and Northern Latvia from November 1-14, 2024, Exercise Resolute Warrior was the first Canadian-led brigade field exercise held in Europe in over 30 years.
With over 3,500 soldiers from 13 Allied nations, including three manoeuvre battalions, combat support units, combat service support elements, and 1,000 military vehicles, the exercise demonstrated NATO’s ability to plan and execute missions in a cohesive, multinational context. This exercise highlighted the Brigade’s proficiency in force projection, command and control, and communication, ensuring seamless integration among subordinate, enabling, and supporting units in alignment with higher command directives.
“Exercise Resolute Warrior 2024 is the culmination of months of dedicated effort,” said Lieutenant-General Steve Boivin, Commander Canadian Joint Operations Command. “As the inaugural brigade exercise hosted by the Canadian-led NATO Multinational Brigade Latvia, its success will lay the foundation for all subsequent training endeavours. The exercise stresses the importance the Canadian Armed Forces place on combat interoperability with our NATO Allies, while showing our united resolve toward peace and security in the region.”
READ: FEATURE INTERVIEW: Steve Boivin
Colonel Aspirault also commented about Exercise Resolute Warrior 2024. “Each of the NATO Multinational Brigade Latvia contributing nations brings a wealth of experience and expertise that is invaluable to NATO’s defence and deterrence mandate. We are part of an active build-up with a level of multinational cooperation never seen before. This exercise has one clear message on behalf of the Brigade: We’re ready!”
Following Exercise Resolute Warrior 2024, the Canadian-led NATO MNB-LVA will see further reinforcement of personnel and equipment through 2026; at which point the CAF will have its full brigade commitments with up to 2,200 CAF members persistently deployed.
“The completion of Exercise Resolute Warrior 2024 is an important milestone in the significant expansion of Canada’s military commitment to NATO’s eastern flank,” said Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence. “The Canadian-led NATO Multinational Brigade Latvia stands as a testament to Canada’s unwavering commitment to the Alliance.”
A SYMBOL OF NATO SOLIDARITY & COMMITMENT
At its core, the Canadian-led NATO multinational brigade in Latvia is a testament to the power of collective defence and the enduring strength of NATO. It is a clear and unequivocal message to any potential aggressor that NATO is ready and willing to defend its members, no matter the scale of the threat.
Speaking at Camp Ādaži at the culmination of Exercise Resolute Warrior was NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, who said, “Our collective strength transcends borders and crosses oceans. There are boots on the ground from North America, with Canada leading this NATO multinational brigade. And as we know, more than 12 nations from across Europe are by their side. From the High North to the Western Balkans, from the North Atlantic coast, to the Baltic Sea — Europe and North America together. All for one, and one for all.”
“I welcome that the [brigade] in Ādaži has increased to around 3,000 soldiers. Because more NATO means more security for all of us,” said Rutte. “I was impressed to see the troops in action in the first brigade-level exercise today, Resolute Warrior. Exercises are how NATO keeps ready for anything. They give our forces experience of working together, and we could see this now in real-life action. It will make us more prepared to deter any aggression and demonstrate our ability to defend all Allies.”
The Canadian-led NATO multinational brigade in Latvia represents a powerful and evolving force in the defence of NATO’s Eastern flank, and is also a reflection of the country’s commitment to international peace and security. From its origins as a battlegroup, the brigade has grown into a formidable and strategically significant formation, capable of responding to the challenges posed by Russia’s aggression and enhancing NATO’s overall deterrence posture. As NATO continues to evolve in response to shifting global dynamics, the brigade remains a crucial pillar of security in the Baltic region, and a symbol of the unity and strength of the Alliance.
The men and women of the Canadian-led brigade embody NATO’s collective defence mandate and its enduring resolve to protect peace and stability in Europe and beyond. It was a pleasure to see them in person, and CDR will continue to follow the evolution of this essential defensive force.
Joetey Attariwala is CDR’s Senior Staff Writer
