Denmark to deploy 850 troops to NATO’s Latvia brigade

Following consultations with the Folketing’s Foreign Policy Committee, Denmark approved the deployment of up to 850 soldiers to Latvia for the second half of 2026. The battalion will enter the NATO Force Model and attach to Multinational Brigade Latvia. Reuters reports that the troops are expected in the autumn and will replace a Swedish contingent already stationed in the region.

This handover gives the story a distinctly Nordic edge. Sweden’s mission in Latvia was its largest NATO commitment following its recent accession to the alliance. Around 550 Swedish troops arrived in Riga in January 2025 to join the Canadian-led brigade near Ādaži. Denmark’s move ensures that northern flank rotations become less episodic and more institutional.

Copenhagen is not treating the deployment as a one-off. Danish officials note that since 2024, the country has registered combat battalions of 700 to 1,200 troops for rotations lasting four to six months. The incoming force will train alongside allied partners and stands ready to operate in other Baltic states if required. Denmark also co-frames Multinational Division North with Latvia, an arrangement that grants Copenhagen a command-level role in the regional defence architecture.

For NATO, the timing of the deployment is more telling than the headcount. Latvian officials note that the previous battlegroup was upgraded to a brigade in 2024, with the expanded formation expected to exceed 3,500 troops and achieve full combat readiness in 2026. Canada, acting as the framework nation, announced this month that the brigade now draws personnel from 14 allied countries. This multinational force is supported by expanding infrastructure, including Camp Labrie and Lielvārde Air Base.

The brigade is also moving out of its old comfort zone. In June, the Latvian defence outlet Sargs.lv reported that NATO forces are expanding their footprint beyond Ādaži into eastern Latvia. This includes operations around Daugavpils, alongside further activities linked to Alūksne and Rēzekne.

Beyond ground forces, Copenhagen is signaling a strong maritime commitment. A Danish mine-clearance module will join NATO’s standing naval forces, taking on tasks such as mine disposal, surveillance, and the protection of critical maritime infrastructure.