Home  /  Newsroom  /  News  /  2025  /   Latvia concludes exercise Crystal Arrow 25 bolstering national and Allied defence

SZCZECIN, Poland — More than 3,000 Allied soldiers and 1,200 vehicles took part in Crystal Arrow 25, a major military exercise in Vidzeme, northeastern Latvia, focused on conventional and urban defence, and NATO interoperability. This multinational collaboration has underscored the unity and preparedness of NATO forces to operate in strategically significant areas of the Baltic region.

Between May 5 and 11, Latvia hosted Crystal Arrow 25, a brigade-level training event led by the Latvian Land Force Mechanized Infantry Brigade. Designed to sharpen skills in a variety of combat scenarios, the exercise strengthened joint operational planning and demonstrated NATO’s capacity to respond swiftly to regional threats.

With every exercise outside the Riga region, we grow stronger and demonstrate our ability to defend our land under any circumstances,

Colonel Oskars Kudlis, the Brigade Commander, emphasized. "During Crystal Arrow, we trained our capability to strike the enemy in depth using indirect fire support and close air support. We will also practiced technical supply to units and operation execution to defeat the enemy."

In a strong show of Allied support, the U.S. 3rd Infantry Division deployed a unit with M109 self-propelled howitzers to participate, whereas NATO Multinational Brigade Latvia acted as the opposing force to simulate enemy activities during the highly realistic maneuvers.

Importantly, the exercise integrated contemporary tactics, including drone warfare and combat lessons drawn from Ukraine. 

Exercise Crystal Arrow 25, Latvia, May 5-11 © The Latvian Army