The number of NATO allied forces soldiers will increase in Latvia / Article

“We are very actively moving forward in cooperation with allies to increase the presence of allies,” the minister said.

Spruds said that an agreement has been concluded with Canada to ensure the presence of 2,200 Canadian soldiers in Latvia in 2026. Similarly, Sweden has confirmed that next year there will be a battalion-sized presence of up to 800 Swedish soldiers in Latvia.

In order to be able to expand the presence of the allied forces, the National Armed Forces (NBS) Ādaži base is being expanded, as well as the Selia training ground, the minister said. Also, the Ceru base is being built in the Mārupe region, where a brigade-sized NATO unit – 700 Canadian soldiers – will stay.

Sprud emphasized that the upcoming Selia military training ground is a very important strategic infrastructure facility, and the first round of development of the training ground should be completed by the end of 2025 or the beginning of 2026. The minister pointed out that it will be the largest training ground in the Baltic States with an area of ​​25,000 hectares, which means that military exercises will be able to be more extensive and also international.

CONTEXT:

The Ministry of Defense started building an international military base “Selia” in 2022. The need for a new military training ground is justified by the important decision for the Baltics made at the NATO summit on increasing NATO’s multinational battle groups to the level of a brigade in each country. Canada will lead the battle group in Latvia.

The then Minister of Defense Ināra Mūrniece (National Union) allowed that the first round of construction of the Selia landfill could be completed by the end of 2025. The first shooting exercises could take place there. The first round of construction would cost 38 million euros, but the minister did not mention the exact source of funding.

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