The NATO brigade Latvia mission is expanding beyond its permanent bases as about 3,000 troops and 1,000 military vehicles take part in a major deployment exercise across eastern Latvia.
Exercise Resolute Reforger 2026 began on October 26 and is scheduled to continue through November 8, according to Latvia’s Ministry of Defence.
The exercise is testing whether the Canadian-led NATO Multinational Brigade Latvia can move combat-capable units over long distances, establish support areas and maintain operations away from its main bases.
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Nato Brigade Latvia: Canadian-led brigade moves across eastern Latvia
From October 26 to November 2, soldiers and equipment have been travelling by road and rail from Ādaži Military Base and Ceri Military Base toward training locations in eastern Latvia.
The exercise covers areas including Ogre, Jēkabpils, Aizkraukle, Daugavpils, Alūksne, Balvi, Gulbene, Madona, Rēzekne and Augšdaugava, as well as the city of Rēzekne.
Latvian defence officials said the exercise is designed to demonstrate the brigade’s ability to deploy forces over large distances and coordinate operations with Latvia’s National Armed Forces and other allied units.
The brigade’s support elements are also being tested, including logistics, medical and military police units that are responsible for keeping frontline formations supplied and operational.
A support area at Jēkabpils airfield was scheduled to showcase those capabilities on Monday, November 2, including the handling of supplies, medical assistance and military police functions.
What Canada’s NATO mission in Latvia includes
Canada is the framework nation for the NATO Multinational Brigade Latvia, meaning it helps coordinate the brigade’s structure, training, readiness and cooperation with Latvia and contributing allies.
The Canadian Armed Forces currently have approximately 2,000 members in Latvia under Operation REASSURANCE, including personnel assigned to the brigade, Task Force Latvia and NATO’s Multinational Division North headquarters.
Canadian defence officials have said the country has completed the full implementation of persistently deployed brigade capabilities in Latvia, with up to 2,200 Canadian personnel forming part of NATO’s forward land forces and supporting elements.
The multinational formation includes personnel from more than one-third of NATO member states, including Canada, Latvia, Denmark, Italy, Poland, Spain, Sweden and other allies.
The brigade operates from facilities including Camp Ādaži and the Ceri Military Base complex, while Canadian investments have also supported infrastructure at Camp Labrie and Lielvārde Air Base.
Canada has maintained a military presence in Latvia since 2017 as part of NATO’s effort to reinforce its eastern flank.
Why the deployment exercise matters
Resolute Reforger is focused on military mobility and sustainment rather than only activity at a single training base.
That distinction matters because NATO forces in the Baltic region must be able to reinforce threatened areas, operate across dispersed locations and continue receiving supplies under difficult conditions.
The exercise is also intended to strengthen command-and-control arrangements between the Canadian-led brigade, Latvia’s armed forces and other NATO contributors.
Latvia shares a border with Russia and is part of NATO’s northeastern defence area, making the country a central location for the alliance’s deterrence posture in the Baltic region.
NATO describes its forward land forces as a defensive presence intended to deter aggression and demonstrate that an attack on one ally would involve the wider alliance.
The brigade’s development reflects NATO’s broader decision to scale up its eastern-flank formations after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Canada takes on a wider NATO role
Canada’s role in Latvia expanded further in July 2026, when the government confirmed that Canada would join Denmark and Latvia as a framework nation for NATO’s Multinational Division North.
That responsibility complements Canada’s leadership of the brigade and gives Ottawa a larger role in coordinating command-and-control and support for NATO forces in the region.
The government also announced that Operation REASSURANCE would be extended through 2031.
The Canadian-led brigade formally transferred command from Colonel Kristopher Reeves to Colonel David Brassard at Ādaži Military Base on June 10, 2026.
Canadian officials said the change of command reflected the continuing development of the brigade into a modern multinational formation capable of conducting sustained operations.
What happens after the main movement phase
The road and rail movement phase of Resolute Reforger is scheduled to conclude on November 2.
From November 4 to November 8, participating units are expected to clean up training areas and return to their military bases.
The exercise will provide NATO commanders with an assessment of how effectively the brigade can move, supply and coordinate forces outside its usual operating locations.
For residents in affected Latvian regions, the activity has also involved increased military traffic on roads and railways as allied units move equipment between bases and training areas.
Canada’s continued deployment in Latvia is expected to remain a central part of the country’s contribution to NATO’s eastern-flank defence and deterrence posture.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the NATO brigade Latvia exercise in 2026?
Resolute Reforger 2026 is a Canadian-led NATO deployment exercise running from October 26 to November 8, 2026, across several regions of Latvia.
How many troops are taking part in Resolute Reforger 2026?
About 3,000 soldiers and 1,000 military vehicles are participating in the exercise.
How many Canadian troops are deployed in Latvia?
Canada has approximately 2,000 Canadian Armed Forces members in Latvia under Operation REASSURANCE, with brigade capabilities planned for up to 2,200 personnel.
What is Canada’s role in the NATO brigade in Latvia?
Canada is the framework nation, leading coordination among Latvia and the other allied countries contributing personnel and equipment to the multinational brigade.
When does the NATO exercise in Latvia end?
The exercise is scheduled to run until November 8, 2026, with units expected to clean up training areas and return to their bases from November 4 to November 8.
Fact-Checked: Key dates, troop figures, locations and Canada’s NATO responsibilities were checked against official Canadian and Latvian defence information. ([mil.lv](https://www.mil.lv/lv/zinas/nato-daudznacionala-brigade-latvija-macibas-resolute-reforger-demonstres-vienibu-apgades-un?utm_source=openai))
Disclaimer: Military exercise schedules and participation figures can change as operations develop.