RIGA. Dec 15 (Interfax/BNS) - Canada will deploy helicopters, short-range air defense and anti-drone systems in Latvia in 2024, Canadian Defense Minister Bill Blair said after a meeting with Latvian Defense Minister Andris Spruds.
Canada is organizing an urgent $32-million procurement of mobile anti-tank missile systems for the NATO contingent in Latvia, the LETA news agency quoted Blair as saying.
About 1,000 Canadian troops are currently stationed in Latvia, and their number will grow to 2,200 in 2026. The NATO brigade in Latvia is expected to achieve full readiness by 2026.
Canada deployed 15 Leopard 2 tanks with service personnel to Latvia in November to enhance the allied presence in the Baltic region.
Blair will visit the Adazi base, the NATO Strategic Communications Center of Excellence, and the Cert.lv information-security incident prevention base during his visit to Latvia.