Over 500 Swedish soldiers have arrived in Latvia as part of the country’s first major troop deployment since it joined NATO.
A mechanized infantry unit from Sweden’s army will join the military alliance’s multinational brigade, based just outside the Latvian capital, Riga.
Their deployment comes less than a year since Sweden abandoned its official neutral stance and became the 32nd member of NATO, a process largely provoked by Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
In a press release, the Swedish Armed Forces said that it was the country’s “largest commitment yet” and that its mission is to “contribute to the alliance’s deterrence and defense efforts, and ensure stability in the region”.
The Swedish battalion's commander said he felt “a great sense of pride in the task of contributing to the alliance’s collective defense” and that a lot of work has gone into making the deployment a reality.
“It’s a historic day, but at the same time, it’s our new normal," Lieutenant Colonel Henrik Rosdahl said.
The troops arrived in the Baltic state by sea in the early hours of Saturday, escorted by Swedish air and naval forces, and ships from their host country. The multinational brigade it is joining is one of eight along NATO’s eastern flank.
While the troop commitment may be Sweden’s biggest NATO mission to date, Stockholm has already become an important voice in security matters in the Baltic Sea region.
Earlier this month it said it would contribute up to three warships as part of the alliance’s efforts to secure crucial underwater infrastructure, following a string of alleged sabotage attempts.
Their deployment comes less than a year since Sweden abandoned its official neutral stance and became the 32nd member of NATO, a process largely provoked by Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
In a press release, the Swedish Armed Forces said that it was the country’s “largest commitment yet” and that its mission is to “contribute to the alliance’s deterrence and defense efforts, and ensure stability in the region”.
The Swedish battalion's commander said he felt “a great sense of pride in the task of contributing to the alliance’s collective defense” and that a lot of work has gone into making the deployment a reality.
“It’s a historic day, but at the same time, it’s our new normal," Lieutenant Colonel Henrik Rosdahl said.
The troops arrived in the Baltic state by sea in the early hours of Saturday, escorted by Swedish air and naval forces, and ships from their host country. The multinational brigade it is joining is one of eight along NATO’s eastern flank.
While the troop commitment may be Sweden’s biggest NATO mission to date, Stockholm has already become an important voice in security matters in the Baltic Sea region.
Earlier this month it said it would contribute up to three warships as part of the alliance’s efforts to secure crucial underwater infrastructure, following a string of alleged sabotage attempts.
More In Politics MORE...
