NATO’s Canadian-led battle group beginning to take shape in Latvia
OTTAWA — Defence chief Gen. Jonathan Vance says the Canadian-led NATO force in Latvia is starting to take shape, with several countries having expressed an interest in contributing troops and equipment.
Speaking to The Canadian Press following a two-day visit to Latvia, Vance said the job now is to match up what other countries are willing to provide with what is actually needed to field the 1,000-strong battle group.
“We’re on the right track, and we’re on track,” Vance said from Croatia on Saturday, where top military officers from across NATO were meeting. “There’ll be all sorts of international phone calls made and working groups struck to get to this final state.”
Among the countries that have indicated their willingness to participate are Italy, Poland, Slovenia and Spain. Each sent representatives on a Canadian-led reconnaissance mission to Latvia last month to get a feel for the situation on the ground.