NATO Forces in Latvia Adapt Drills to Lessons of Modern Drone Warfare
NATO forces in Latvia are conducting intensive drills to adapt to modern drone warfare lessons learned from Ukraine, as regional leaders warn of a growing Russian military threat.
DOUVA, Latvia — With red tape strips pinned to their helmets, Danish soldiers advanced stealthily through a pine forest, launching a sudden assault to overrun a position held by Spanish troops.
"Todos Muertos" — "All dead," one of the Spanish soldiers joked while resting beneath an armored vehicle, which raised its gun barrel to signal it had been destroyed.
A mechanized infantry company from Denmark played the opposing forces in a NATO drill held this month in Latvia to prepare the alliance for a potential Russian threat. The Danes kicked off the exercise the previous night by dispatching drones carrying dummy payloads to strike the brigade's assembly areas, throwing the camp into chaos.
Enhancing Baltic Readiness
The exercise, one of several held this year in the Baltics, is designed to prepare the Canada-led NATO brigade for a potential war with Russia. Troops have attempted to implement lessons from how drone warfare has transformed the battlefield in Ukraine, with mixed results so far.
"We are no longer just training. We are rehearsing for a mission," said the commander of the NATO brigade, Canadian Colonel David Brassard. "This is a fundamental shift in mindset."
He noted that about 35% of Canada's total land forces are committed to operations in Latvia. Similar NATO units are led by Germany, which permanently stations a brigade in Lithuania, and the UK, which leads a combat force in Estonia.
Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics said in an interview that he receives intelligence pointing to a growing Russian threat, warning that the Russian military has grown stronger and more adaptable through the war in Ukraine.
Drone Warfare Lessons
During the exercise, unidentified drones were spotted in the area, highlighting the hybrid threats facing the Baltic states. While Danish troops have embraced drone training, commanders admit they still struggle to match the reality of Ukraine, where about 90% of casualties are caused by drones.
Critics argue that Western armies are still ill-prepared for modern high-tech warfare. Joris Jurashas, a former member of the Latvian parliament who fought in Ukraine, noted that traditional heavy equipment remains highly vulnerable without advanced electronic countermeasures and drone shielding.
Despite the challenges, NATO forces in Latvia continue to adapt, integrating new tactics and hardening their command structures to meet the evolving security landscape.
