Latvia – securing the eastern flank of NATO

By the Defence Command Denmark

Denmark leads the NATO Headquarters Multinational Division North in Latvia. From August to December 2024, Danish soldiers were deployed to Latvia where they contributed to securing NATO's eastern flank.

From August to December 2024, the Danish Armed Forces had a battle group with supporting units deployed to Latvia as a contribution to NATO's readiness. With Denmark's participation in NATO's readiness, Danish soldiers contributed to addressing one of NATO's biggest security challenges caused by Russia's war in Ukraine and its challenging presence in the Baltic Sea region.

Even after returning home, the Danish battle group remains part of NATO's readiness.

The battle group in Latvia consisted of a staff, a headquarters company, an armored infantry company, a mechanized infantry company, a tank squadron, and a fire support element. The battle group was supplemented by units to support the battle group's mission. This included an armored engineer company and artillery units.

The battle group was part of the Canadian-led Multinational Brigade Latvia, which is subordinate to Multinational Division North, where Denmark is the framework nation and which is led by a Danish Major General.

The battle group in Latvia supplemented the Danish Armed Forces' other contributions to the defense of NATO's eastern flank. This consists of staff officers deployed to headquarters in Estonia, Latvia, and Poland.

NATO's readiness is a significant contribution to maintaining credible deterrence against Russia.

Background

The deployment of the Danish battalion is a consequence of the serious security situation in Europe, challenged by Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine and extensive build-up of troops. This situation has developed into a crisis with potentially significant consequences for NATO and Denmark’s security. NATO’s presence in the area helps to enhance security in Denmark, as Denmark’s security begins in the Baltic States and Poland.

The deployment of units from Denmark and other countries to nations close to Russia is a crucial part of NATO’s strategic communication to Russia and a strengthening of the alliance’s deterrence and defence capabilities in the east. Denmark’s support for Baltic and Polish allies upholds the fundamental principles of European states' rights to self-determination and territorial integrity, while simultaneously enhancing Denmark’s safety and security.

The deployment of Danish soldiers to Latvia is also a natural continuation of the cooperation between Danish and Baltic soldiers in recent years' international missions and training exercises.