Operation REASSURANCE
Op REASSURANCE is currently the Canadian Armed Forces' (CAF) largest overseas mission, through which the CAF contributes to NATO deterrence and defence measures across the Euro-Atlantic region. It is part of the biggest reinforcement of Alliance collective defence in a generation.
Under Op REASSURANCE, the CAF deploys ships, which contribute to the Standing NATO Maritime Groups and other maritime operations/exercises; an Air Task Force, providing logistical support out of Prestwick; and a Land Task Force, including the NATO Multinational Brigade-Latvia (MNB-LVA), for which Canada is the Framework nation.
Update
In July 2026, at the NATO summit in Ankara, Türkiye, the Right Honourable Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada, confirmed that Canada will join Latvia and Denmark as the third Framework Nation of Multinational Division North, taking on more responsibility to protect NATO’s Eastern Flank. The Prime Minister also announced the extension of Operation REASSURANCE through 2031.
How many people are deployed?
Over 3,000 CAF members are deployed throughout the year in support of Operation REASSURANCE, making it Canada's largest current international military operation.
What are they doing?
Sea
Throughout the year, multiple maritime deployments support the Op REASSURANCE mandate.
- On July 15, 2026, HMCS Ville de Québec deployed as the flagship of Standing NATO Maritime Group One, sailing in the North Atlantic, North, and Baltic Seas.
- On July 7, 2026, HMCS Ships Moncton and Edmonton deployed to join Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group One. From July to October 2026, the ships will operate in European waters, contributing to continuous NATO maritime presence and security, while also advancing mine countermeasure operations.
- In addition to the deployment of HMC Ships, Royal Canadian Navy divers have participated this year in the Black Sea Mine Countermeasure activity based out of Romania, working to identify and neutralize sea mines and other unexploded maritime ordnance that has drifted Westward in the Black Sea.
Land
NATO Multinational Brigade Latvia
The CAF has approximately 2,000 members in Latvia under Op REASSURANCE, which includes the NATO Multinational Brigade – Latvia (MNB-LVA), Task Force Latvia (TFL), as well as personnel at NATO's Multinational Division – North (MND-N) Headquarters.
Based out of Camp Adazi, the Canada-led Brigade in Latvia is part of the largest reinforcement of NATO collective defence in a generation.
The Canada-led Brigade includes the Canada-led NATO Multinational Battle Group – Latvia (MNBG-LVA), which includes artillery, mechanized infantry, combat support, combat service support, and electronic warfare components that conduct joint training to respond to any potential attack and demonstrate a unified front against adversaries. Previously, this Battle Group and other specialist enablers were fully integrated into the Latvian National Armed Forces (LNAF) Mechanized Infantry Brigade (MIB). On October 17, 2024, the MNBG-LVA officially transferred out from the LNAF MIB and came under the authority of the Canada-led MNB-LVA. This powerful, combat capable force provides a strong deterrent presence in Latvia against any adversary and is prepared to defend Alliance territory if necessary.
Canada, as the Framework Nation for the MNB-LVA, is responsible for supporting Canadian and NATO military objectives at the operational level through TFL; coordinating with Latvian military authorities; and improving the integration of Canadian personnel and assets with NATO Allies in Latvia and the wider region. These efforts are further supported by NATO's MND-N Headquarters, to which the CAF contributes a general officer as well as staff officers. MND-N supports the defence planning of Baltic nations, the coordination of regional military activities within the MNB-LVA forces region, and other high-level activities.
This Brigade comprises personnel from over one third of all NATO nations, including:
- Albania
- Canada
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Iceland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Montenegro
- North Macedonia
- Poland
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
Air
An Air Task Force, based out of Prestwick, UK is providing logistical support to Op REASSURANCE and several other CAF operations around the world.
History and context of the operation
NATO began to enact a series of military measures on April 16, 2014 based on the principles of defence, deterrence and de-escalation meant to reinforce NATO's collective defence and demonstrate the strength of allied solidarity.
The CAF offered assets and members to NATO on April 17, 2014.
Timeline of key events
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| July 8, 2026 | At the NATO Summit in Ankara, Türkiye, the Right Honourable Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada, confirmed that Canada will join Latvia and Denmark as the third Framework Nation of Multinational Division North, taking on more responsibility to protect NATO’s Eastern Flank. The Prime Minister also announced the extension of Operation REASSURANCE through 2031. |
| August 26, 2025 | The Right Honourable Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada, announced the renewal of Operation REASSURANCE for another three years during his visit to Latvia. |
| February 7, 2025 | Sweden officially joined the Canada-led Multinational Brigade – Latvia in a transfer of authorities ceremony at Camp Valdermar in Latvia, making it the 14th nation in the Brigade. |
| November 14, 2024 | Exercise RESOLUTE WARRIOR 2024 was conducted from November 1 to 14, 2024 across Central and Northern Latvia. This marked a major milestone for the Canadian-led NATO Multinational Brigade Latvia (MNB-LVA): the first major exercise as a complete brigade. The Canadian-led MNB-LVA involves personnel from 13 member states, highlighting Canada's and the Alliance's commitment to NATO's core principle of collective defence. |
| October 17, 2024 | NATO Multinational Battlegroup Latvia joined NATO Multinational Brigade Latvia in a Transfer of Authority ceremony. |
| July, 2023 | The Latvian Minister of Defence and the Canadian Minister of National Defence signed a Roadmap for scaling the battlegroup to a brigade. |
| January, 2023 | Canada deployed the Forward Command Element to Latvia to prepare for integration of a Canadian-led Brigade Headquarters into MND-N and the future arrival of Brigade capabilities and troops. In 2023, Canada bolstered its presence in Latvia by deploying a Canadian Army Tank Squadron of 15 Leopard 2 battle tanks and personnel. |
| June 29, 2022 | Canada signed a joint declaration with Latvia to augment NATO's enhanced Forward Presence in Latvia. Going forward, Canada will:
|
| March 8, 2022 | Canada announced the multi-year renewal of Op REASSURANCE. This announcement was a year ahead of schedule and responded to the changing security situation in Eastern Europe. |
| February 22, 2022 | Canada announced that a battery of M777 artillery guns with forward observers, and an electronic warfare troop, consisting of approximately 155 soldiers, would be added to the Latvian battlegroup. |
| June 28, 2021 | The CAF opened the new multi-national headquarters building, adjacent to the Latvian National Armed Forces Joint Headquarters. This building currently houses Task Force Latvia Headquarters and leadership of the other allied nations that contribute personnel to the NATO MNB-LVA. |
| July 10, 2018 | Canada announced the renewal of Canada's contribution until March 2023, which included increasing the number of members deployed to Latvia from 455 to 540. |
| August 17, 2017 | The Land Task Force in Poland completed its final deployment. |
| June 19, 2017 | Canadian-led Multinational Battlegroup in Latvia was stood up. |
| May 13, 2014 | The CAF sent a Maritime Task Force of one frigate to Central and Eastern Europe. |
| May 3, 2014 | The CAF sent a Land Task Force to Central and Eastern Europe, based in Poland. |
| April 29, 2014 | The CAF sent its first CF-188 Hornet Air Task Force to Europe. Since then, the CAF had periodically sent air task forces to Central and Eastern Europe. |
Past Deployments
CAF members have continuously supported NATO deterrence and defence measures since 2014.
- From April 16 to July 31, 2022, the CAF assisted the Polish Territorial Defence Force with managing the flow of refugees fleeing the Russian invasion of Ukraine. CAF elements also took part in interoperability training with their Polish counterparts.
- From May 2014 to August 2017, over 1,000 soldiers deployed in eight rotations to Europe as part of Land Task Force – Poland. Based at Drawsko Pomosrkie Training Area, they regularly took part in exercises with allies and partners.
- The CAF has sent an air task force to three different countries: Romania (in 2014 and from 2017-21), Iceland (2017), and Lithuania (2014).
Social Media
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Image gallery
Op REASSURANCE 25 | Flickr
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News
- HMCS St. John’s departs for SNMG2
July 13, 2025 - HMC Ships Edmonton and Yellowknife depart for SNMCMG1
July 7, 2025 - HMCS Charlottetown deploys to become flagship of Standing NATO Maritime Group 2
June 15, 2024 - Roadmap – Scaling the EFP Latvia Battle Group to Brigade
July 11 2023 - HMCS Fredericton deploys in support of NATO assurance and deterrence measures
January 22, 2023 - Royal Canadian Navy ships return from Operation REASSURANCE
November 1, 2022 - Canada’s Air Task Force – Romania begins NATO Air Policing mission
August 4, 2022 - Two Royal Canadian Navy ships return from European NATO missions
July 15, 2022 - Her Majesty’s Canadian Ships Kingston and Summerside depart for Operation REASSURANCE
June 26, 2022 - Canadian Armed Forces Marks 5th Anniversary of Canada Leading NATO’s enhanced Forward Presence Battle Group
June 19, 2022 - Canada assumes command of SNMG1
January 18, 2021