Operation REASSURANCE
Op REASSURANCE is currently the Canadian Armed Forces’ (CAF) largest overseas mission, through which the CAF contributes to NATO deterrence and defence measures in Central and Eastern Europe, and is part of the biggest reinforcement of Alliance collective defence in a generation.
Under Op REASSURANCE, the CAF has deployed a Maritime Task Force, which contributes ships to the Standing NATO Maritime Groups and other maritime operations/exercises; an Air Task Force, providing logistical support out of Prestwick; and a Land Task Force, including the NATO Multinational Brigade-Latvia (MNB-LVA), for which Canada is the Framework nation.
Update
Canada will complete the full implementation of persistently deployed Brigade capabilities to Latvia by 2026, at which point the Brigade will have up to 2,200 CAF members as part of the enhanced Forward Presence and supporting elements in Latvia.
How many people are deployed?
Approximately 1,900 CAF members are deployed throughout the year in support of Op REASSURANCE, making it Canada’s largest current international military operation.
What are they doing?
In 2025, multiple maritime deployments will support the Op REASSURANCE mandate. The CAF has approximately 1,600 members in Latvia under Op REASSURANCE, which includes the NATO Multinational Brigade – Latvia (MNB-LVA), Task Force Latvia (TFL), as well as personnel at NATO’s Multinational Division – North (MND-N) Headquarters. Based out of Camp Adazi, the Canada-led Brigade in Latvia is part of the largest reinforcement of NATO collective defence in a generation. The Canada-led Brigade includes the Canada-led NATO Multinational Battle Group – Latvia (MNBG-LVA), which includes artillery, mechanized infantry, combat support, combat service support, and electronic warfare components that conduct joint training to respond to any potential attack and demonstrate a unified front against adversaries. Previously, this Battle Group and other specialist enablers were fully integrated into the Latvian National Armed Forces (LNAF) Mechanized Infantry Brigade (MIB). On October 17, 2024, the MNBG-LVA officially transferred out from the LNAF MIB and came under the authority of the Canada-led MNB-LVA. This powerful, combat capable force provides a strong deterrent presence in Latvia against any adversary and is prepared to defend Alliance territory if necessary. Canada, as the Framework Nation for the MNB-LVA, is responsible for supporting Canadian and NATO military objectives at the operational level through TFL; coordinating with Latvian military authorities; and improving the integration of Canadian personnel and assets with NATO Allies in Latvia and the wider region. These efforts are further supported by NATO’s MND-N Headquarters, to which the CAF contributes a general officer as well as staff officers. MND-N supports the defence planning of Baltic nations, the coordination of regional military activities within the MNB-LVA forces region, and other high-level activities. This Brigade comprises personnel from over one third of all NATO nations, including: On September 15, 2022, Air Task Force Prestwick (ATF-P) was created to expand the tactical airlift detachment that previously supported Op REASSURANCE. ATF-P is the main transport hub via which the CAF sustains various operations across the world, including NATO deterrence and defence measures. In addition to its missions in support of Ukraine, ATF-P supports CAF deployments in Central and Eastern Europe (Op REASSURANCE), the Middle East (Op IMPACT), and Africa (Op PRESENCE), and supports observation flights under the Open Skies Treaty. To ensure capacity and operational flexibility, ATF-P operates three CC-130J Hercules aircrafts and employs support personnel responsible for maintenance, cargo movements and administration. ATF-P is made up of approximately 60 CAF members with further augmentation based on operational tempo.Sea
Maritime Task Force
Land
NATO Multinational Battlegroup Latvia
Air
Air Task Force – Prestwick
History and context of the operation
NATO agreed upon and began to enact a series of military measures on April 16, 2014 based on the principles of defence, deterrence and de-escalation meant to reinforce NATO’s collective defence and demonstrate the strength of allied solidarity.
The CAF offered assets and members to NATO on April 17, 2014.
Timeline of key events
Date | Description |
---|---|
February 7, 2025 | Sweden officially joined the Canada-led Multinational Brigade – Latvia in a transfer of authorities ceremony at Camp Valdermar in Latvia, making it the 14th nation in the Brigade. |
November 14, 2024 | Exercise RESOLUTE WARRIOR 2024 was conducted from November 1 to 14, 2024 across Central and Northern Latvia. This marked a major milestone for the Canadian-led NATO Multinational Brigade Latvia (MNB-LVA): the first major exercise as a complete brigade. The Canadian-led MNB-LVA involves personnel from 13 member states, highlighting Canada’s and the Alliance’s commitment to NATO’s core principle of collective defence. |
October 17, 2024 | NATO Multinational Battlegroup Latvia joined NATO Multinational Brigade Latvia in a Transfer of Authority ceremony. |
July, 2023 | The Latvian Minister of Defence and the Canadian Minister of National Defence signed a Roadmap for scaling the battlegroup to a brigade. |
January, 2023 | Canada deployed the Forward Command Element to Latvia to prepare for integration of a Canadian-led Brigade Headquarters into MND-N and the future arrival of Brigade capabilities and troops. In 2023, Canada bolstered its presence in Latvia by deploying a Canadian Army Tank Squadron of 15 Leopard 2 battle tanks and personnel. |
June 29, 2022 | Canada signed a joint declaration with Latvia to augment NATO’s enhanced Forward Presence in Latvia. Going forward, Canada will:
|
March 8, 2022 | Canada announced the multi-year renewal of Op REASSURANCE. This announcement was a year ahead of schedule and responded to the changing security situation in Eastern Europe. |
February 22, 2022 | Canada announced that a battery of M777 artillery guns with forward observers, and an electronic warfare troop, consisting of approximately 155 soldiers, would be added to the Latvian battlegroup. |
June 28, 2021 | The CAF opened the new multi-national headquarters building, adjacent to the Latvian National Armed Forces Joint Headquarters. This building currently houses Task Force Latvia Headquarters and leadership of the other allied nations that contribute personnel to the NATO MNB-LVA. |
July 10, 2018 | Canada announced the renewal of Canada’s contribution until March 2023, which included increasing the number of members deployed to Latvia from 455 to 540. |
August 17, 2017 | The Land Task Force in Poland completed its final deployment. |
June 19, 2017 | Canadian-led Multinational Battlegroup in Latvia was stood up. |
May 13, 2014 | The CAF sent a Maritime Task Force of one frigate to Central and Eastern Europe. |
May 3, 2014 | The CAF sent a Land Task Force to Central and Eastern Europe, based in Poland. |
April 29, 2014 | The CAF sent its first CF-188 Hornet Air Task Force to Europe. Since then, the CAF had periodically sent air task forces to Central and Eastern Europe. |
Past Deployments
CAF members have continuously supported NATO deterrence and defence measures since 2014.
- To date, 14 different ships have contributed to this operation since 2014.
- From April 16 to July 31, 2022, the CAF assisted the Polish Territorial Defence Force with managing the flow of refugees fleeing the Russian invasion of Ukraine. CAF elements also took part in interoperability training with their Polish counterparts.
- From May 2014 to August 2017, over 1,000 soldiers deployed in eight rotations to Europe as part of Land Task Force – Poland. Based at Drawsko Pomosrkie Training Area, they regularly took part in exercises with allies and partners.
- The CAF has sent an air task force to three different countries: Romania (in 2014 and from 2017-21), Iceland (2017), and Lithuania (2014).
Social Media
Canadian Joint
Operations Command
News
HMCS Charlottetown deploys to become flagship of Standing NATO Maritime Group 2
June 15, 2024
Roadmap - Scaling the EFP Latvia Battle Group to Brigade
July 11 2023
HMCS Fredericton deploys in support of NATO assurance and deterrence measures
January 22, 2023
Royal Canadian Navy ships return from Operation REASSURANCE
November 1, 2022
Canada’s Air Task Force – Romania begins NATO Air Policing mission
August 4, 2022
Two Royal Canadian Navy ships return from European NATO missions
July 15, 2022
Her Majesty’s Canadian Ships Kingston and Summerside depart for Operation REASSURANCE
June 26, 2022
Canadian Armed Forces Marks 5th Anniversary of Canada Leading NATO’s enhanced Forward Presence Battle Group
June 19, 2022
Canada assumes command of SNMG1
January 18, 2021
Page details
- Date modified: