STOCKHOLM: Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson has announced plans to deploy 800 troops to the Baltic nation early next year. The Swedish soldiers will play a crucial role in guarding Latvia’s border, serving as a deterrent against potential Russian forces.
This deployment will see Sweden collaborating with a Canada-led battle group already stationed in Ādaži, which includes military contingents from ten other nations, such as Albania, Italy, Poland, and Spain.
Despite awaiting formal inclusion into NATO, Sweden’s commitment to strengthening security in the Baltic region is evident. The decision to send troops comes as Sweden remains on the brink of becoming NATO’s 32nd member, with only Turkey and Hungary pending ratification of its membership.
Canada Maintains Largest Troop Presence in Latvia
Canada currently maintains the largest troop presence in Latvia, with 1,700 soldiers. As part of its commitment to NATO, Canada has pledged to increase its military contingent to 2,200 troops by 2026. Additionally, Canada is set to send Griffon and Chinook helicopters and invest 15 million Canadian dollars ($11.2 million) in building new military infrastructure in the region.
Sweden’s pursuit of NATO membership is a recent development, triggered by Russia’s occupation of Ukrainian territory. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan outlined two conditions for Sweden’s NATO membership: cracking down on militant Kurdish groups and obtaining US approval for the purchase of F-16 fighter jets.
