Hundreds of Swedish forces arrive in Latvia in largest deployment with Nato

Hundreds of Swedish troops arrived in Latvia on Saturday to join a Canadian-led multinational brigade along Nato’s eastern flank, a mission Sweden is calling its most significant operation so far as a member of the Western defence alliance.

A ship carrying parts of a mechanised infantry battalion arrived early on Saturday in the port of Riga, the Latvian capital, escorted by the Swedish air force and units from the Swedish and Latvian navies, the Swedish armed forces said in a statement.

Latvia borders Russia to its east and Russia ally Belarus to its southeast.

Sweden’s armed forces said the mission of 550 troops will contribute to the alliance’s deterrence and defence efforts, and ensure stability in the region, and that it “marks Sweden’s largest commitment yet since joining Nato” last year.

Commander Lieutenant Colonel Henrik Rosdahl of the 71st Battalion said he felt great pride in contributing to the alliance’s collective defence.

“It’s a historic day, but at the same time, it’s our new normal,” he said.

The Swedish troops join one of eight Nato brigades along the alliance’s eastern flank. The battalion is stationed outside the town of Adazi, near Riga.

Sweden formally joined Nato in March as the 32nd member of the trans-Atlantic military alliance, ending decades of post-Second World War neutrality and centuries of broader nonalignment with major powers as security concerns in Europe spiked following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

Finland also abandoned its longstanding military neutrality to join Nato in April 2023.