Defence Minister to visit Canadian Tactical Aviation Detachment at Riga Airport and Military Base “Ceri”

On Thursday, 12 September, the Minister of Defence Andris Sprūds will visit the Canadian Tactical Aviation Detachment at Riga Airport and the NATO Multinational Brigade Latvia's future military base "Ceri" in Mārupe District to get acquainted with its infrastructure development.

The visit will also be attended by the Minister of Transport Kaspars Briškens, the Ambassador of Canada to Latvia Brian Szwarc and the Commander of the NATO Multinational Brigade Latvia Colonel Cédric Aspirault.

As reported earlier, at the end of July four Royal Canadian Air Force CH-146 Griffon helicopters, which make up the Canadian Tactical Aviation Unit, were delivered to Latvia and are stationed at Riga Airport, from where they provide logistical support to the NATO Multinational Brigade.

The CH-146 helicopters can be used in a wide variety of tactical roles, including search and rescue, aerial firepower and aero-mobility tasks.

The Military Base “Ceri” will house the Canadian led NATO Multinational Brigade – Latvia Headquarters and sections of other units from within the Multinational Brigade. Its infrastructure is currently being developed, and it is planned that in July 2025 the new camp will be able to house 700 Canadian soldiers who will serve in Latvia on a rotational basis. 

Latvia is working with its Canadian allies on infrastructure development, such as improving and rebuilding roads, to ensure the future movement of military vehicles to and from the military base “Ceri”. Latvia, as host nation of the NATO Multinational Brigade, supports Canada's needs related to the development of “Ceri” and welcomes Canada's contribution to the development of the base.

In the coming years, Latvia plans to develop the infrastructure of the military base “Ceri” by building training infrastructure, developing the infrastructure of the 17th Combat Support Battalion of the National Guard and improving roads to the military base.

As reported earlier, in July this year, a ceremony was held to highlight the launch of the NATO Enhanced Forward Presence Latvia Battle Group to brigade level and the establishment of the new NATO Multinational Brigade in Latvia, which will be comprised of more than 3,500 troops. 

In November 2024, the Brigade will conduct its first large - scale field training exercise and demonstrate its integration into the NATO higher command structure.

The brigade is expected to reach full combat readiness by 2026.

NATO Multinational Brigade Latvia has Canada as a Framework nation, along with forces of contributing nations: Albania, Czech Republic, Denmark, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia and Spain. Sweden is also expected to join the new NATO Multinational Brigade in Latvia.

Media contacts:

MoD Military Public Affairs Department
Media Relations Section
Phone: 67335045
E-mail: prese@mod.gov.lv