Canadian Army instructors discuss mechanized infantry defence tactics with their Ukrainian Armed Forces colleagues during Exercise RAPID TRIDENT in Starychi, Ukraine on June 30, 2016. (Joint Task Force Ukraine)
OTTAWA — Canadian troops will not face Russia alone when they begin to arrive in Latvia early next year.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg says Albania, Italy, Poland and Slovenia have each promised to contribute soldiers and equipment to a battle group that Canada is organizing for NATO.
The Liberal government said in July that Canada would lead one of four multinational NATO forces in Eastern Europe, where the military alliance has been beefing up its presence in response to recent Russian actions.
Canada plans to deploy 450 troops as well as light armoured vehicles and other military equipment to form the nucleus of the battle group.
Italy says it will send 140 soldiers, although Stoltenberg did not say what the other countries will contribute.
The first Canadian troops will arrive in the spring, but the bulk won’t touch down until fall.
