Sweden to send NATO troops to Latvia in 2025

Sweden plans to send an army battalion of 800 troops to Latvia early next year to reinforce the NATO-enhanced forward presence battle group based in Latvia, as announced by Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson on January 8.

Sweden is expected to be joining NATO soon, becoming the 32nd Member of the alliance. Before that, it is still necessary to obtain the agreement of Türkiye and Hungary to extend the alliance, LSM reports.

Swedish newspaper DN, citing its sources, says it is planned to send a mechanized battalion to Latvia, which will include about 800 soldiers, as well as armoured vehicles and combat cars, possibly also “Leopard” tanks. The Swedish army's management plans for this unit to arrive in Latvia in early 2025.

Latvian Defense Minister Andris Sprūds (Progressives) says in a conversation with DN that this is great news for Latvia because the presence of NATO forces is important for Latvia's security.

The Swedish battalion is expected to form part of the Canada-led NATO force's enhanced forward presence battle group.

In the summer of 2023, Latvia and Canada signed an agreement to double the number of Canadian soldiers stationed in Latvia.