King Carl XVI Gustaf Highlights Historic Role of Swedish NATO Battalion

Our battalion is part of Sweden's largest commitment since we joined NATO.

The King was not present at the ceremony earlier this year when command of the Swedish battalion was handed over to NATO, but instead wanted to make a visit at a later time when he could get a better picture of life at Camp Valdemar Adazi base, outside Riga in Latvia, and what they had learned from the cooperation in the multinational brigade.

Now that the Swedes have been on site for a few months, the King was shown around and received information about the operations and met with them to talk about how they had experienced their time in the brigade. He was also offered to fire the Carl Gustaf grenade launcher, but chose to stand aside.

"We fight for each other", "Your effort can be decisive" and "Willpower, courage and perseverance" are three mottos that have come up with.

They function as cornerstones to create cohesion and something to hold on to, said the King to the soldiers on site.

And it's important. Especially considering the sacrifice you make by defending allied territory instead of being with family and friends.

In Riga, the King also met with the Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics and Defense Minister Andris Spruds.

NATO has forces deployed along NATO's eastern border, from the Baltic States in the north to Bulgaria in the south. A similar force is also being built up in Finland.

In the Latvian multinational brigade, 14 NATO countries are represented: Albania, Canada, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Iceland, Italy, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden.

The force has approximately 3,000 soldiers on high alert on site and during annual exercises, the number of soldiers is increased.

Sweden contributes with a reduced battalion of approximately 550 people. Sweden also contributes personnel to the brigade's staff.

The Swedish battalion has brought with them combat vehicles 9040, mortar carrier bandwagon 90, combat tank 122, and armored terrain vehicle 360, as well as trucks and broadened vehicles.

Sources: NATO and the Swedish Armed Forces