Canadian-led NATO Multinational Brigade Latvia Completes its First Major Field Training Exercise, Supporting NATO Deterrence and Defence Efforts

News release

November 14, 2024 – Ottawa, ON – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces

Exercise RESOLUTE WARRIOR 2024 was conducted from November 1 to 14, 2024 across Central and Northern Latvia. This marked a major milestone for the Canadian-led NATO Multinational Brigade Latvia (MNB-LVA): the first major exercise as a complete brigade. The Canadian-led MNB-LVA involves personnel from 13 member states, highlighting 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, which is the Canadian Armed Forces’ (CAF) largest overseas mission. Through Operation REASSURANCE, the CAF contributes to NATO deterrence and defence measures in Central and Eastern Europe and is part of the largest reinforcement of Alliance collective defence in a generation.

Following Exercise RESOLUTE WARRIOR 2024, the Canadian-led NATO MNB-LVA will see further reinforcement of personnel and equipment through 2026; at which point the CAF will have its full brigade commitments with up to 2,200 CAF members persistently deployed.

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, 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 amounts of infrastructure in Latvia to support the Alliance’s broader deterrence and defence efforts along NATO’s eastern flank.

Quotes

“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. 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.”

The Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence

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

Lieutenant-General Steve Boivin, Commander Canadian Joint Operations Command

“Exercise RESOLUTE WARRIOR 2024 demonstrates our collective efforts and our 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!”

Colonel Cédric Aspirault, Commander NATO Multinational Brigade Latvia

Quick facts

NATO MNB-LVA currently consists of 13 contributing nations, including Canada, Albania, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Spain.
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 decided to establish 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.

Associated links

Contacts

Media Relations
Department of National Defence
Phone: 613-904-3333
Email: mlo-blm@forces.gc.ca

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Date modified:: 2024-11-14