Danish combat battalion in Latvia now handed over to NATO brigade

By The Combat Battalion in Latvia

In Latvia, the deployed Danish combat battalion, consisting of combat, combat support and support units from the Army and supporting commands, is now officially part of the Canadian-led NATO Multinational Brigade Latvia. The handover took place on Monday at a parade at the Danish camp Camp Valdemar in Latvia.

The commander of the combat battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Jimmi Holst, is pleased that the experienced battalion has arrived safely at the camp.

"The soldiers and I have been looking forward to arriving for a long time, and it's good to finally be here and settle in. Previous missions have built up a really good working relationship with our NATO allies in and outside Latvia, and we look forward to strengthening this further in the coming months," says the commander, continuing:

"Latvia is a unique and complex operational environment where, together with our allies in Latvia and through a strong and united NATO in general, we contribute to the country's sovereignty and are ready to defend the country if necessary. This is a task we are ready to undertake together with our allies."

Strong contribution to Latvia's defence

The Canadian-led NATO Multinational Brigade Latvia consists of Canadian units and soldiers from 13 other NATO nations. The Danish combat battalion will make up a large part of the brigade's manoeuvre units. The commander of the Canadian-led brigade, Colonel Kristopher Reeves, is also pleased with the addition of the Danish combat battalion.

"The security situation in Latvia is currently very complicated. Therefore, it is important that we are a strong and united brigade, ready to defend Latvia if necessary – we owe that to the Latvian people. For that reason, I am also extremely pleased with the Danish contribution of a strong and powerful combat battalion, which represents Denmark's strong commitment to defending NATO's eastern flank."

The brigade itself is part of the Danish-led NATO Multinational Division North. The commander of the division, Major General Jette Albinus, appreciates the Danish troops in Latvia.

"The Danish combat battalion is a strong addition to the division here in Latvia, but the Danish battalion is not deployed independently, as it is part of the brigade, which is part of the division. Therefore, the most important thing for me is that the battalion also trains together with the other skilled units so that we can fulfil the task of deterring and, if necessary, defending Latvia against a threat from the east," says Major General Jette Albinus.

This is the second time that a Danish combat battalion has moved into the new permanent camp in Latvia and the fourth Danish contribution to Latvia in total.

Camp Valdemar is shared with a Swedish battalion throughout the year. When the battalion returns to Denmark in the future, it will therefore always be ready at short notice to travel and support the brigade and division in defending the country together with the Latvian forces.