NATO Multinational Battle Group Latvia
In view of the changing international security environment, the NATO Summit in Warsaw in July 2016 endorsed the agreement on the presence of Allied Forces in the Baltic States and Poland within the framework of NATO Enhanced Forward Presence. The framework nation of the battle group is Canada in Latvia, Germany in Lithuania, the United Kingdom in Estonia and the United States in Poland. This commitment clearly demonstrates the Alliance's unity and commitment to defend NATO members against a potential aggressor. The purpose of the establishment and deployment of the battle groups is to contribute to NATO's deterrence and to strengthen the Alliance's defence.
Canada is the lead nation for the NATO battle group deployed in Latvia. Initially, in 2017, the battle group was joined by troops with weapons from Canada, Spain, Poland, Italy, Slovenia and Albania.In 2018, Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Montenegro joined the battle group, followed by Iceland in 2020 and North Macedonia in 2022. The battle group now represents 11 NATO Member States and has become the most multinational NATO military unit deployed in Latvia.
NATO Multinational Battle Group Latvia welcome ceremony 2017
On 19 June 2017, the NATO Multinational Battle Group Latvia (MNBG Latvia) was welcomed at a ceremony at the Ādaži base, where the President of Latvia Raimonds Vējonis, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, Latvian Defence Minister Raimonds Bergmanis and Canadian Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan addressed the troops.
The welcoming ceremony was also attended by the Speaker of the Saeima Ināra Mūrniece, Commander of the National Armed Forces Major General Leonīds Kalniņš, representatives of the Cabinet of Ministers, other high-level Latvian officials and representatives of the diplomatic corps.
Also present at the NATO Multinational Battle Group Latvia welcome ceremony were General James Everard, Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe, and the leadership of NATO Commands, General Jonathan H. Vance, Commander of the Canadian Armed Forces, and the Commanders of the Canadian-led Battle Group member forces.
During the ceremony, a military parade was held with the participation of Canadian, Albanian, Italian, Polish, Slovenian, Spanish and Latvian armed forces.
The NATO Multinational Battle Group welcoming ceremony at Adazi base concluded the deployment of NATO Multinational Battalion-level Battle Groups in the Baltic States and Poland.
Future development of the NATO Multinational Battle Group in Latvia
In July 2023, the Latvian and Canadian Defence Ministers signed a roadmap outlining the progress already made and the next steps for the Canadian-led NATO Multinational Battle Group in Latvia to grow from battalion to brigade level.
The roadmap provides for a step-by-step increase in the level of permanently deployed NATO forces and equipment in Latvia. Latvia confirms its commitment to invest resources in further building up its national defence capabilities and to provide host nation support to the Allies, including the establishment of a new military training ground "Selija". The brigade is expected to reach full combat readiness by 2026.
Military training
The NATO Multinational Battle Group in Latvia participates in both national and international military exercises, jointly with the Latvian Armed Forces.
NATO Multinational Battle Group and Ground Forces Mechanized Infantry Brigade regularly conduct joint military exercises Crystal Arrow, Silver Arrow, Summer Shield and Winter Shield.
eFP Commanders
The rotation of the NATO Multinational Battlegroup Latvia Commander position takes place every six months, in line with the rotation of forces.
From June 2024, Lieutenant-Colonel Jean-Francois Labonté will be the eFP Commander in Latvia.
From December 2023 to June 2024, Lieutenant-Colonel Jonathan Cox.
From June to December 2023, Lieutenant-Colonel Daniel Vincent
From December 2022 to June 2023, Lieutenant-Colonel Craig Higgins
