Operations

Canadian-led NATO Multinational Brigade Latvia Completes 1st Major Field Training Exercise

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Canadian-led NATO Multinational Brigade Latvia marked a major milestone as it concluded its first major exercise as a brigade.

Exercise RESOLUTE WARRIOR 2024, conducted across Central and Northern Latvia from November 1 to 14, signified a significant step forward in capabilities for the Canadian-led NATO Multinational Brigade Latvia (MNB-LVA).

Danish soldiers from NATO Multinational Brigade Latvia hold a defensive position during Exercise RESOLUTE WARRIOR at Military Base Ādaži Training Area, Latvia, on 05 November 2024. Photo by: Corporal Marc-André Leclerc, NATO Multinational Brigade Latvia Imagery. Image courtesy CAF.

Personnel from 13 Member States

According to a recent media release, the Canadian-led MNB-LVA involved personnel from 13 member states, “demonstrating Canada’s and the Alliance’s commitment to NATO’s core principle of collective defence.” Canada’s contributions to the Brigade are coordinated under Operation REASSURANCE, the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) largest overseas mission.

“In NATO’s 75th year, we are reminded just how important this alliance is for Canada and its allies, as Russia continues its war against Ukraine,” proclaimed Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence. “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. The Canadian-led NATO Multinational Brigade Latvia stands as a testament to Canada’s unwavering commitment to the Alliance.”

Through Operation REASSURANCE, Min. Blair noted that the CAF contributes to NATO deterrence and defence measures in Central and Eastern Europe. Following Exercise RESOLUTE WARRIOR 2024, the Canadian-led NATO MNB-LVA will see further reinforcement of personnel and equipment through 2026. At that point, the CAF will have its full brigade commitments with up to 2,200 CAF members persistently deployed.

Artillery soldiers from the NATO Multinational Battlegroup load 155mm shells into a M777 Howitzer for a fire-mission on Exercise Annihilating Thunder. Operation REASSURANCE. Ādaži military base, Latvia. 2 November 2024. Image courtesy CAF.

First Canadian-led Brigade Field Exercise in 30 Years

Exercise RESOLUTE WARRIOR was the first Canadian-led brigade field exercise held in Europe in over 30 years, demonstrating Canada’s determination to strengthen NATO’s ability to defend Alliance territory. Canada, as the framework nation for NATO MNB-LVA, provides the largest portion of personnel and equipment to the Brigade, including the Brigade Command position.

Following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Min. Blair stated that Canada rapidly committed to significantly increase its military footprint in Latvia. Since then, Canada has more than doubled the number of Canadian military personnel, deployed more than 1,000 additional vehicles, acquired new capabilities, and built significant infrastructure in Latvia to support the Alliance’s broader deterrence and defence efforts along NATO’s eastern flank.

“Exercise RESOLUTE WARRIOR 2024 is the culmination of months of dedicated effort,” stated 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.”

Colonel Aspirault, commander of NATO Multinational Brigade Latvia gives the orders during Exercise RESOLUTE WARRIOR at Military Base Ādaži on 05 November 2024. Photo by: Corporal Marc-André Leclerc, NATO Multinational Brigade Latvia Imagery. Image courtesy CAF.

Demonstrated Collective Efforts

Colonel Cedric Aspirault, Commander NATO Multinational Brigade Latvia, replied that the multi-national exercise demonstrated their collective efforts and commitment to strengthening the security of Latvia and NATO borders.

“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!”

NATO MNB-LVA is currently comprised of 13 contributing nations including:

Albania,
Canada,
Czech Republic,
Denmark,
Iceland,
Italy,
Latvia,

Montenegro,
North Macedonia,
Poland,
Slovakia,
Slovenia, and
Spain.

In 2025, Sweden will contribute a battalion on a rotational basis with Denmark, making Sweden the 14th nation of the MNB-LVA.

Members had the opportunity to test out some Light Tactical Vehicles (LTVs), getting familiar with their utility in diverse and challenging environments. Being able to move personnel and equipment around the battlefield more efficiently. Image courtesy of the CAF.

Response to Instability in Eastern Europe

According to the media advisory, the first CAF deployment on Operation REASSURANCE occurred in 2014 as a response to instability in Eastern Europe caused by Russia’s illegal and unprecedented annexation of Crimea.

This deployment included a CF-188 Hornet fighter aircraft Task Force, a Land Task Force based in Poland, and a Maritime Task Force consisting of one Royal Canadian Navy frigate in the Mediterranean and Black Seas.

In 2016 Allied Heads of State and Government established 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.

In response to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, NATO leaders at the Madrid Summit committed to bolstering the Alliance’s deterrence and defence posture. In coordination with Latvia and contributing nations, the Multinational Battlegroup was integrated into the Canadian-led NATO Multinational Brigade Latvia on October 17, 2024.