Danish soldiers have arrived in Latvia
On Tuesday, July 7, a Danish infantry company landed in Latvia. With this move, Denmark has expanded its contribution to NATO’s reinforcement of Europe’s eastern flank.
July 8, 2026 - 13:49
Danish Ambassador to Latvia, Ambassador Morten Jespersen, met the Danish soldiers at Lielvarde Air Base.
By Defence Command Denmark
At noon on Tuesday, the commander of the Latvian Air Force and Denmark’s ambassador to Latvia welcomed the Danish soldiers upon their arrival at Lielvārde Air Base in Latvia.
The security situation in the Baltic region and the rest of Eastern Europe has prompted the Latvian government to seek a more permanent presence of allied forces. Consequently, the Danish Armed Forces are now deploying an infantry company to Camp Valdemar in Latvia. The soldiers will remain there until the planned contribution takes over in early August.
The originally planned Danish contribution, arriving in August, is a combat battalion consistent with the deployments seen over the past two autumn periods. Furthermore, the combat battalion’s deployment is being extended through January 2027.
The decision to deploy the soldiers was made by the Danish government following a request from Latvia.
The Danish ambassador to Latvia notes that the infantry company’s presence serves as a powerful symbol of alliance solidarity and, not least, the close relationship between Denmark and Latvia.
"As a Dane, I am proud to once again welcome Danish soldiers to Latvia. Being here, Denmark is once again helping to bolster military deterrence and defense capabilities in the country. Efforts that mean much to Latvia and its people," says Ambassador Morten Jespersen.
Not the first time
Immediately following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Denmark deployed soldiers to Latvia, where they established a temporary camp near Ādaži close to Riga.
In 2024, a more permanent camp, Camp Valdemar, was established. The Danish presence has been maintained there annually from August to December. During their deployment, the Danish soldiers have carried out a range of operational tasks. These include "outreach" activities, where they travel across the country to meet with the Latvian people, alongside maintaining their operational readiness. They have also conducted exercises and training with Latvian forces and other NATO contingents in the area. The deployment of the infantry company — and later the combat battalion — complements the broader Danish presence in the Baltic region, particularly the Danish-led NATO divisional headquarters, Multinational Division North, which is also based in Latvia.
When the Danish contingent is not stationed at Camp Valdemar, the camp is used by Swedish soldiers.