ĀDAŽI — Prime Minister Mark Carney ended his defence-focused European trip on Wednesday by visiting Canadian troops in Latvia who are part of Canada's largest overseas deployment.
Carney told troops at the Ādaži Military Base that the need for Operation Reassurance has intensified with Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine.
Latvia is home to a multinational deployment of troops meant to deter against Russian aggression in Europe’s eastern flank. It is one of several NATO alliance battle brigades deployed in eastern Europe.
Canada is the lead nation of the Latvia deployment, with roughly 2,000 troops deployed.
The prime minister announced Tuesday that he’s extending Operation Reassurance for another three years through to 2029.
Col. Chris Reeves, commander of the multinational brigade in Latvia, said the extension gives the Canadian Forces at the helm of Operation Reassurance the "confidence" they're "here for the long haul."
To continue the operation's main goal of deterring Russian aggression in eastern Europe, Reeves said they need further supports to ensure effective logistics and mobility, in addition to drones.
"Turn on the news and you see how important, for lack of a better term, drones are in the Ukraine fight," Reeves said.
"We are watching, studying, understanding how that fight is there. But we need those pieces of equipment here in Latvia and all my tactical teammates have made that clear."
In Kyiv on Sunday, Carney announced that part of Canada's $2 billion aid package for Ukraine will include a $220 million drone partnership between the two countries.
Carney toured the barracks and other installations at the base with soldiers demonstrating how they use drones, tanks and other equipment.
After that tour, Reeves said he believes the prime minister saw that there's "room for improvement" in the equipment the multinational brigade has on hand.
Reeves added that the issue of securing spare parts for tanks has not been fully "squared away." However, he said the unit has the priority spare parts that it needs and operational readiness remains high.
Carney also stopped in Germany during this trip, where he announced Tuesday that Germany and South Korea are the two final qualified suppliers to replace Canada's aging patrol submarine fleet.
A statement from Korean firm Hanwha Ocean Wednesday said they could fully replace the fleet by 2035 if they secure a contract next year.
Germany's Thyssen Krupp Marine Systems is the other of the two possible submarine suppliers. Carney toured the TMKS shipyard in Kiel, Germany on Tuesday, and the company said it would be able to deliver the first sub in 2034, followed by a second in 2036 and a third in 2037.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 27, 2025.
Craig Lord, The Canadian Press
