Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson reacts during a joint press conference with the Latvian prime minister in Stockholm on April 25, 2024, as the NATO logo can be seen in the background. (Photo by Anders WIKLUND / various sources / AFP) / Sweden OUT / SWEDEN OUT

Sweden will next year contribute a reduced battalion to NATO forces in Latvia to help support the Baltic state following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said Thursday.

The Swedish troop contribution was the first to be announced since the Scandinavian country joined NATO in March.

Kristersson had in January announced that Sweden would likely send a battalion to take part in NATO’s permanent multinational mission in Latvia, dubbed the Enhanced Forward Presence, aimed at boosting defence capacity in the region.

“The government this morning gave Sweden’s armed forces the formal task of planning and preparing for the Swedish contribution of a reduced mechanised battalion to NATO’s forward land forces in Latvia,” Kristersson told reporters during a press conference with his Latvian counterpart Evika Silina.

He said the battalion, which will be in Latvia for six months, would be comprised of around 400 to 500 troops.

“Our aim is a force contribution, including CV 90s armoured vehicles and Leopard 2 main battle tanks.”

“We’re planning for the deployment early next year after a parliament decision,” he said.

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