On 26 October, the largest-ever NATO multinational brigade deployment exercise, Resolute Reforger 2026, began in eastern Latvia. Around 3,000 military personnel and 1,000 pieces of military equipment will be involved in the manoeuvres. The exercises will run until 8 November and will cover a number of regions across the country, including areas near the borders with Russia and Belarus. The military will practise the rapid movement of units, logistics, command and control, and coordination with the Latvian Defence Forces.
- On 26 October, the NATO exercise Resolute Reforger 2026 began in Latvia.
- Around 3,000 military personnel and 1,000 pieces of equipment will take part in the manoeuvres.
- The units will practise redeployment, logistics, command and control, and communications.
- The training will continue until 8 November, after which the troops will return to their bases.
Three thousand NATO troops are to be deployed in eastern Latvia
According to the Latvian Ministry of Defence, the Resolute Reforger 2026 exercise will take place from 26 October to 8 November. It will be the largest troop deployment exercise ever conducted by a NATO multinational brigade on Latvian territory.
The first phase is scheduled to run until 2 November. During this period, military personnel and equipment will be transported by road and rail from the «Adazi» and «Ceri» bases to the areas where the exercises are to take place.
The manoeuvres will cover the Ogre, Jēkabpils, Aizkraukle, Daugavpils, Alūksne, Balvi, Gulbene, Madona, Rezekne and Augšdaugava districts, as well as the town of Rezekne.
Some of the training areas are located in eastern Latvia, near the Russian and Belarusian borders. At the same time, the military will be operating not only in the border regions but also across a significant part of the country.
What NATO troops will be practising
The main objective of Resolute Reforger 2026 is to test the multinational brigade’s ability to rapidly redeploy combat-ready units, provide them with the necessary resources and maintain effective command and control over long distances.
Particular attention will be paid to military logistics, coordination between units, communications systems and cooperation with the Latvian National Armed Forces.
Commander of the NATO multinational brigade, Colonel David Brassar He emphasised that the military must be prepared to carry out missions not only at fully equipped bases, but also in field conditions. According to him, the effectiveness of defence depends on the allies’ ability to operate over considerable distances whilst maintaining reliable communications and supply lines.
During the exercises, the functioning of command structures and support systems will be assessed, as well as the readiness of service personnel to carry out tasks in dispersed areas.
Residents of Latvia have been warned about the movement of military vehicles
The Latvian Ministry of Defence has announced that, during the exercises, there is likely to be increased military convoy traffic on roads in the eastern part of the country. Temporary traffic delays may occur on certain stretches of road.
To minimise disruption, the majority of military equipment movements are planned to take place at night. Canadian CH-146 Griffon military helicopters will also be visible in the areas where the manoeuvres are taking place; they will be providing support to the units NATO.
The Latvian Ministry of Defence has emphasised that the convoys will travel in accordance with the country’s road traffic regulations.
Between 4 and 8 November, military personnel are to restore the areas they have used to their original condition and return to their permanent bases.
