Around 200 to 300 Danish soldiers have taken part in the section of Namejs 2026 conducted in northeastern Latvia, eight kilometres from the Russian border. In total, around 12,000 soldiers from Latvia and other NATO countries are taking part in the month-long series of exercises.
According to the Danish Defence, the exercise is intended to train the defence of Latvia and test cooperation between Latvian units, allied forces and civilian authorities. The Danish soldiers have acted as opposing forces against the Latvian units, while the countries have also practised joint procedures and coordination.
"By taking part in Namejs, we have helped strengthen and develop cooperation with our allies. At the same time, it has added an extra dimension that the exercise has taken place so close to the border with Russia," says Lieutenant Colonel Karina Wøbbe, commander of the Danish combat battalion.
One particular area of training has been the use of drones. The Latvian forces have used them to monitor and locate the opposing force, as well as to engage it directly on the battlefield.
The exercise has largely been conducted in civilian terrain, including in villages and on public roads. This has required close cooperation with the Latvian police, who have informed the local population when Danish military vehicles have been moving through the area.
The Danish participants come from the roughly 800-strong combat battalion deployed to Latvia from August 2026 to January 2027. The battalion forms part of the Canadian-led Multinational Brigade Latvia, which in turn belongs to Multinational Division North.
Namejs 2026 continues at several locations in Latvia until 8 October.