Latvian Minister of Defence, Andris Sprūds, emphasised the importance of this addition: “The addition of Sweden to the NATO Multinational Brigade in Latvia will be a significant contribution to the security of the Baltic Sea region and to the collective defence of NATO allies. The increase in the number of allied soldiers on our territory is a clear signal to Russia that NATO is ready to defend each and every one of its member states from the very first centimetre of their borders.”
The Swedish soldiers are expected to arrive at the Ādaži military base at the beginning of 2025. This deployment will be Sweden’s first in another NATO member state since it formally joined the alliance on 7 March 2024.
Sweden’s decision aligns with its earlier commitment to support the NATO Multinational Brigade in Latvia, announced upon joining the alliance. The brigade, established in July 2024, currently includes contributions from 13 NATO members: Albania, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Spain.
The NATO Multinational Brigade in Latvia was upgraded from a battlegroup to a brigade during the NATO Madrid Summit in 2022. This decision followed a joint declaration by Canada and Latvia to strengthen NATO’s eastern flank, supported by a three-phase road map focusing on preparation, construction, and stability. The brigade significantly enhances NATO’s presence and readiness in the region, reflecting a unified commitment to the defence of its member states.
