Canada to deploy helicopters and short-range air defense systems in Latvia

Canada will deploy helicopters, short-range air defense systems and anti-drone systems in Latvia in 2024, Canadian Minister of National Defense Bill Blair said after a meeting with his Latvian counterpart Andris Spruds, according to the LETA agency, Report informs referring to Interfax.

Blair also said Canada was urgently arranging a $32 million purchase of mobile anti-tank missile systems for the NATO battle group in Latvia.

There are currently about 1,000 Canadian military personnel in Latvia, and by 2026 their number is planned to increase to 2,200. The NATO brigade in Latvia is expected to reach full combat readiness by 2026.

In November, Canada delivered 15 Leopard 2 tanks and maintenance personnel to Latvia to strengthen the allied presence in the Baltic region.

During his current visit to Latvia, the Canadian minister of defense will visit the Adazi base, the NATO Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence and the Cert.lv information technology security incident response base.