Although rarely named directly, Russia remains the implicit adversary in these drills, with troops focused on defending NATO’s eastern flank.
The exercise, involving forces from 13 NATO member nations, aims to enhance cooperation and readiness, a necessity when coordinating large-scale logistics and diverse equipment.
"We’re operating 24/7 to ensure these exercises are as realistic as possible, making this a logistical success as much as a combat one," said Col. Cedric Aspirault, the Canadian commander of the NATO brigade in Latvia.
"Our focus is on deterrence, showcasing NATO’s ability to act quickly and cohesively," he added.
The multinational NATO brigade, part of the alliance's Multinational Division North, emphasizes unity in its operations.
Danish General Jette Albinus, who oversees the division, said: "The purpose of these maneuvers is to integrate different forces into a single cohesive brigade capable of defending Latvia effectively."
Latvian officials welcomed the exercises, seeing them as both a deterrent and a testament to alliance solidarity.
"These drills demonstrate our unity and readiness to mobilize against any threat," said Latvian Defense Minister Andris Sprūds.
Established in 2017, the NATO battlegroup in Latvia was elevated to a brigade in October, marking a historic shift in the alliance's collective defense on its eastern flank.
The 3,000-strong brigade, led by Canada, includes troops from Poland, Albania, Canada, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Slovakia, Slovenia and Spain.
It is expected to be fully developed by 2026.
(jh/gs)
Source: PAP