NATO Multinational Brigade in Latvia starts 2025 with exercise ‘Forge’

• The Spanish contingent, stationed at the Adazi base, took part in the first exercise of the year as part of NATO's eastern flank land force deployment in Latvia.

Spanish military personnel from the Mechanised Tactical Subgroup and the Engineer Unit, belonging to the Multinational Battle Group of NATO's Multinational Brigade Latvia (MN BDE LVA), took part in the Forge exercise.

The Spanish contingent integrated in the NATO Multinational Brigade in Latvia has carried out Company entity training activities in the Latvian manoeuvre field of Adazi.

The Mechanised Tactical Subgroup is made up of two mechanised sections equipped with Pizarro Infantry Combat Vehicles (ICVs), a section of Leopard 2E tanks and a section of support weapons made up of different teams. They soldiers of this group carried out various exercises, both offensive and defensive, as well as a water crossing on a bridge supporting the Dornier vanguard and Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC). 

In turn, the Multinational Engineer Unit - comprising a Spanish mechanised sapper section, an Italian light sapper section, a Spanish mechanised section and a Spanish Dornier bridge platoon - carried out company-level fortification work. They dug a total of one kilometre of trenches and built vehicle positions, firing positions, platoon shelters and an underground command post. They also installed a 110-tonne support bridge for the 'Dornier' vanguard.

NATO’s forward presence

NATO’s military presence in the eastern part of the Alliance is a key part of its strengthened deterrence and defence posture, which has been enhanced in recent years to reflect the new security reality in the Euro-Atlantic area. The forward presence of Allied forces is defensive, proportionate, transparent and in line with the Alliance’s international commitments and obligations.

NATO's forward presence which is sustainable and rotational comprises eight multinational battlegroups provided by framework nations on a voluntary basis - including Spain in Slovakia – along with other contributing Allies. 

Currently, military personnel and staff from NATO Allies serve, train and exercise together in the east of the Alliance, representing a strong expression of unity and solidarity. Forces from contributing nations rotate in and out of the battlegroups; at any given time, they may be deployed to the battlegroups or stationed in their home countries with the ability to deploy rapidly, if needed

Spanish participation in Latvia

The main assets contributed by Spain to the Canada-led NATO Battle Group in Latvia are Leopard 2E battle tanks, Pizarro ICVs and a NASAMS Air Defence Unit (ADU). It also provides additional capabilities with the deployment of a Field Artillery Unit, an Engineer Unit as well as various logistic support elements.

In addition, Spain is contributing with other mechanised assets such as the M-113 tracked armoured carrier, heavy mortars, sapper combat vehicles (SCV) and Spike anti-tank missiles. Also noteworthy is the contribution of units that significantly enhance the combat capability of the tactical subgroup, such as a Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) team and a Raven unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). 

Spain is a responsible partner and ally committed to NATO's defence objectives. This significant deployment of Spanish forces to support and reinforce NATO's forward presence on its eastern flank demonstrates Spain's firm commitment through its Armed Forces to our Allies and Spain's resolute contribution to the Alliance's deterrence efforts in Eastern Europe.