What the German Panzerbrigade 45 is to become for Lithuania is the Canadian-led Multinational Brigade Latvia for the northern neighbor Latvia: In 2024 it was decided to also expand the Multinational Battlegroup stationed there as part of NATO’s Enhanced Forward Presence (eFP) into a brigade to bolster defense against potential Russian attacks on the Baltic states. The target strength is 3,500 personnel, with the leading nation Canada providing around 2,200.
As with Panzer Brigade 45, the previously existing eFP battlegroup was integrated as a maneuver element into the new larger formation. In addition, the Nordic neighbors Denmark and Sweden provide a second battalion on an annual rotating basis. In January 2025, Sweden, as the newest NATO member, deployed for the first time 600 soldiers of its South Scanian Regiment (Södra skånska regementet) with CV9040 infantry fighting vehicles and Strv 122 main battle tanks to Ādaži in Latvia.
Multinational Brigade is ready for deployment, but still expandable
Sweden also deployed Archer self-propelled howitzers for the brigade’s multinational artillery battalion. Latvia is procuring 18 of its own self-propelled artillery pieces of this type for this purpose. There is no third maneuver element in normal operations; however, Canada fields a helicopter battalion with, to date, four CH-146 Griffon (Bell 412) and two CH-147 Chinooks, as well as a reconnaissance squadron. In addition, there are further multinational brigade units for logistics and medical services, as well as a sniper platoon.
Currently, a total of 14 nations are involved in the brigade. Larger contingents are provided, among others, by Italy, Poland, and Spain with mechanized companies for the former eFP battlegroup. Its readiness was nominally achieved with the Oak Resolve exercise in spring 2025, but the full buildup is not expected to be completed until this year. Canada has already invested over 315 million euros in expanding military infrastructure at the locations Ādaži, Ceri and Lielvārde and plans to spend a further 64 million.
The majority of this is intended for expanding the air base at Lielvārde. In the future, up to six Griffon and four Chinook helicopters are to operate there simultaneously, and transport aircraft of the CC-177 Globemaster II type should also be accommodated. In addition to the Multinational Brigade, Canada maintains close ties with the host nation’s sole active army brigade: currently six Canadian officers are integrated into it, including the deputy brigade commander.
