Latvia takes part in NATO allied exercise "Lion Protector 26"

Latvia is taking part in "Lion Protector 26", an exercise organized by the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF), aimed at strengthening member states' ability to respond quickly and in a coordinated manner to security threats.

During the Latvian phase of the exercise, the National Armed Forces worked together with JEF partners to ensure the safe passage of a ship carrying allied military equipment through Latvia's territorial waters and its safe entry into port. Forces also ensured the unloading of military equipment and its subsequent movement to designated deployment locations.

Role as host nation

Receiving allied forces and equipment is considered one of the exercise's key components, as it allows the host nation to refine its support procedures, strengthen military mobility capabilities, and deepen cooperation among JEF member states.

Broader scope of the exercise

As part of "Lion Protector 26", participating countries are carrying out coordinated activities at sea, in the air, and on land across an area stretching from the Arctic to the Baltic Sea. The exercise complements NATO's vigilance and deterrence measures while helping improve readiness to rapidly deploy forces if the security situation changes.

JEF is a UK-led cooperation initiative of ten countries designed to give member states the ability to respond quickly and jointly to security challenges. The exercise is intended to improve interoperability among allied forces and their capacity to conduct joint operations across maritime, air, and land domains, complementing NATO's collective defense measures.