NATO Battlegroup tanks compete with allies in Latvia firing exercise ({{contentCtrl.commentsTotal}})
![$content['photos'][0]['caption'.lang::suffix($GLOBALS['category']['lang'])]?>](https://i.err.ee/smartcrop?type=optimize&width=672&aspectratio=16%3A10&url=https%3A%2F%2Fs.err.ee%2Fphoto%2Fcrop%2F2020%2F10%2F18%2F830068hdd84.png)
Personnel from the NATO Enhanced Forward Presence (eFP) Battlegroup based in Tapa took part in a live-firing exercise south of the border in Latvia.
Exercise "Iron Spear" took place at the Adazi training ground near the Latvian capital, Riga, and pressed into action British Army Challenger 2 Main Battle Tanks (MBTs), CV90 tracked combat vehicles from the Danish contingent in the battlegroup, and equipment and personnel from 12 other NATO allies, the organization said via a press release.
This week, the NATO Battlegroup in Tapa has been taking part in "Iron Spear", a live-fire exercise at the Adazi training grounds near Riga, Latvia.
Exercise "Iron Spear" is held annually and provides a strong and powerful demonstration of NATO's capability, cooperation and readiness as a defensive force, all while using heavy armor, the alliance says.
Commander of Estonia's NATO eFP Battlegroup Col. Paul Clayton tweeted that: "This was a fantastic event that members of eFP Estonia were proud to be involved in."
This was a fantastic event that members of #eFP Estonia ???????????????????????? were proud to be involved in. https://t.co/GXzYxEcQTj
— Col Paul Clayton MBE (@ComdUKeFP) October 16, 2020
Due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, extra precautions were taken before, during and after the exercise and the trip to Latvia, in conjunction with authorities there and in Estonia; the event marked the first time the current British and Danish rotations at Tapa had been able to travel outside Estonia.
5th Battalion the Rifles (5 Rifles), a British Army mechanized infantry battalion, form the core of the current eFP.
--
Follow ERR News on Facebook and Twitter and never miss an update!
Editor: Andrew Whyte