Latvia – securing the eastern flank of NATO

By the Defence Command Denmark

From August 2024 to December 2024, the Danish Defence has deployed a combat battalion with support units to Latvia as part of NATO’s military presence in the eastern part of Alliance territory. With Denmark’s participation to NATO’s presence, Danish soldiers contributes to address one of NATO’s major security challenges caused by Russia’s war in Ukraine and its presence in the Baltic Sea region.

In 2024, NATO is restructuring its readiness plans, which means the alliance will have more forces available and greater flexibility in implementing readiness plans.

The Danish battalion consists of a headquarters, a headquarters company, an armoured infantry company, a mechanized infantry company, a tank squadron, and a fire support element. The combat battalion is supplemented by additional units to support its mission, including an armoured engineer company and artillery units.

The Danish combat battalion is part of the Canadian-led Multinational Brigade Latvia, which is a component of the Multinational Division North, where Denmark is a framework nation and which is led by a Danish major general.

The battalion in Latvia complements other contributions by the Danish Defence to secure NATO’s eastern flank. This includes staff officers deployed to headquarters in Estonia, Latvia, and Poland. NATO’s presence 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.