Canada commits to increase the size of its contribution to the NATO mission in Latvia by more than double, Justin Trudeau prime minister informed. Pledging $2.6 billion over three years, with up to 2,200 troops for continuous persistent positioning. The prime minister made this announcement at a joint press conference in the presence of Krišjānis Kariņš Latvian Prime Minister and Anita Anand defense minister.
He informed that “this is the way forward in modern defense,” close to a dozen countries across NATO are training, working and co – operating alongside each other, making the collective defense stronger by learning valuable tactics from each other.
Canadian – led battle group in the Baltic country, is with the presence of roughly 800 Canadian armed force members, known to be the country’s largest overseas mission.
Trudeau upon meeting Edgar Rinkēvičs Latvian President, said the additional manpower will strengthen Canadian land, maritime and air capabilities and assist special operations within eastern and central Europe.
Trudeau also pledged that Canada would obtain a pre – position critical weapon system aided with cyberactivity and intelligence.
Anand informed last month, starting this fall, the mission will be joined by approximately 130 personnel with 15 tanks and a Leopard 2 tank squadron, a fragment of the NATO military alliance’s effort to increase its presence in close proximity to Russia, in reply to the country’s ongoing battering on Ukraine.
Since the war began, the coalition has doubled the amount of battle groups in the region, planning to extend the scope of some of them attain combat – ready – brigades.
Anand and her Latvian counterpart signed a joint road map, setting out three stages for scaling up the Latvian battle group to a brigade, aiming to accomplish the buildup in 2025.
Trudeau along with the NATO leaders are expected to meet in Lithuanian’s capital for their annual summit. The Canadian Armed Forces stationed in Latvia are to meet with Trudeau before departing for Vilnius.
