Swedish troops bolster NATO's Baltic security presence
550 Swedish soldiers have arrived in Riga to support the NATO Multinational Brigade under Canadian command. This marks a historic contribution to regional security.
A contingent of approximately 550 Swedish soldiers arrived in Latvia on Saturday to reinforce the NATO Multinational Brigade led by Canadian command. The soldiers were greeted at the port in Riga with NATO and Swedish flags flying.
"This is historic support," said Latvian Defence Minister Andris Spruds, highlighting NATO's unity in response to Russia's actions.
Prime Minister Evika Silina remarked that the arrival of the Swedish military signifies a "significant step" in advancing regional defence cooperation. Brigade Commander Colonel Cedric Aspirault acknowledged that the presence of the Swedish forces enhances both combat readiness and regional security. Combat vehicles were transported along with the soldiers.
"This is not only a historic event but also a new reality," observed Swedish commander Lieutenant Colonel Henrik Rosdahl, emphasising Sweden's contribution to the defence of the Baltic Sea region.
Sweden, which joined NATO in 2024, has deployed its soldiers to another member state for the first time.
The NATO multinational forces in Latvia comprise troops from several countries, with the largest groups being Canadians and Danes. This unit, stationed at the Adazi base since 2017, was upgraded to brigade level in 2024. It is expected to achieve full combat readiness by 2026 with over 3,500 soldiers.
