Canada has decided to extend its Operation Reassurance military mission in Latvia for another three years. The mission aims to deter a potential Russian invasion.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the decision during a press conference in Riga.
“Canada will extend Operation Reassurance — our leadership, our commitment — for another three years,” Carney stated.
According to him, a three-year extension is Canada’s standard practice for foreign military missions:
“That’s how we operate,” he explained.
Carney added that during this period, Canada will expand the brigade’s capabilities, strengthen collective defense and security, and maintain a significant NATO presence in Latvia:
“We must deter and reinforce, and that’s how we can ensure real confidence,” he said.
Since 2017, hundreds of Canadian soldiers, alongside troops from several other NATO countries, have been serving in Latvia as part of the multinational battalion under Operation Reassurance to deter possible Russian aggression.
Following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Canada pledged to double its contingent in Latvia and urgently procured modern anti-tank weapons and air defense systems, including counter-drone technologies.
Additionally, a tank squadron equipped with 15 Leopard 2 main battle tanks has already been deployed. The brigade is expected to be fully staffed by 2026, with up to 2,200 Canadian military personnel stationed in Latvia.
