Poland has deployed Leopard 2 battle tanks in Latvia to reinforce the NATO brigade in the Baltic EU and NATO country.
The armoured vehicles were moved by train to the Adazi military base after their arrival, the Latvian army said on Friday.
They are to replace the PT-91 battle tanks that have been stationed there so far, a Polish development of the Soviet T-72 tank. No information was provided on the exact number.
The multinational brigade is led by Canada. “The arrival of the Polish Leopard 2PL tanks in Latvia marks a significant enhancement to our firepower,” said the brigade’s Canadian commander, Colonel Cédric Aspirault, in the statement.
The presence of the tanks confirmed the commitment to protect Latvia, which borders Russia and Belarus, and sends a clear message, he said.
Latvia sees Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine as a direct threat to its national security.
