Poland redeploys Leopard tanks to Latvia as NATO strengthens presence

Poland has redeployed its Leopard 2 main battle tanks to Latvia to bolster the NATO multinational brigade stationed in the Baltic country.

The tanks arrived at the Adazi military base via railway, replacing the Polish PT-91 tanks that were previously stationed there, Caliber.Az reports citing Polish media.

While the exact number of Leopard 2PLs was not disclosed, the arrival of the advanced tanks is seen as a significant enhancement to the brigade's firepower.

Canadian Colonel Cedric Aspiro, the brigade commander, stated that the addition of the Leopard 2 tanks significantly strengthens the unit’s capabilities. The move underscores NATO’s commitment to defending Latvia, a country that shares borders with both Russia and Belarus. With Russia's ongoing aggression in Ukraine, Latvia views these developments as a direct security threat. The deployment serves as a clear signal of NATO's resolve to support Latvia’s defence and territorial integrity.

In parallel, NATO and Polish forces are conducting tactical exercises near the Russian border to further bolster regional defence. The TUMAK-24 exercise, which involves over 2,500 soldiers from the Polish army, NATO units, and the Lithuanian military, is taking place at the Orzysz range in Poland’s Warmińsko-Mazurskie Voivodeship.

Located just 70 kilometres from Russia’s border, the exercise runs until December 2 and includes a tank crossing of the Kempno lake, with more than 850 units of equipment in use. The joint drills emphasize NATO’s readiness and coordination, reinforcing the alliance's deterrence capabilities in the face of growing security concerns in Eastern Europe.

By Vafa Guliyeva