Military personnel from Latvia rehearsing to halt an opposing force's progression
In the heart of August, Latvia is hosting the military exercise BASTIONS 2025, a significant event aimed at strengthening the capabilities of the Latvian National Armed Forces' engineer units. The exercise, taking place from August 11 to 22, is focused on improving the units' ability to delay and limit enemy advances and fostering cooperation between various military units [2][4].
The exercise involves engineer units of the Latvian National Guard brigades, with activities taking place in Vidzeme and other parts of Latvia. The practical application stage follows a theoretical part that occurred from April 7 to 17 [1].
During the exercise, concrete blocks and 'Hesco' baskets (metal frame structures filled with earth or stones) are being moved to independent engineering resource parks. Some of the concrete blocks are being placed on the Latvian state road infrastructure in previously agreed locations [2][4].
The independent engineering resource parks are pre-prepared warehouses or bases for storing equipment and materials for rapid construction of military fortifications. The location of these parks is not specified, but they serve as crucial hubs during the exercise [1].
The soldiers and National Guardsmen from the Land Forces Mechanized Infantry Brigade, the 1st Riga Brigade, the 2nd Vidzeme Brigade, the 3rd Latgale Brigade, and the 4th Kurzeme Brigade are participating in the exercises [1].
BASTIONS 2025 is part of a wider set of military fortification and counter-mobility measures on Latvia's eastern border. While it is not specified as being a part of any larger international military exercise, it forms part of broader NATO responses and military readiness exercises in the Baltic region, which include multinational maneuvers like Germany's Quadriga 2025 exercise [1]. These aim at deterring Russian aggression and bolstering alliance solidarity through large-scale, integrated defense planning [1].
In summary, BASTIONS 2025 is a focused exercise aimed at enhancing the capabilities of Latvia's National Armed Forces' engineer units. It forms part of wider Baltic and NATO efforts to demonstrate deterrence and improve operational readiness on NATO's eastern flank [2][4][1].
- The practical application stage of the BASTIONS 2025 military exercise, which is taking place from August 11 to 22, involves moving concrete blocks and 'Hesco' baskets onto the Latvian state road infrastructure in pre-agreed locations, as part of the exercise in Vidzeme and other parts of Latvia.
- The independent engineering resource parks, pre-prepared warehouses or bases for storing equipment and materials for rapid construction of military fortifications, are serving as crucial hubs during the BASTIONS 2025 exercise.
- The soldiers and National Guardsmen from the Land Forces Mechanized Infantry Brigade, the 1st Riga Brigade, the 2nd Vidzeme Brigade, the 3rd Latgale Brigade, and the 4th Kurzeme Brigade are participating in BASTIONS 2025, an exercise that is part of wider Baltic and NATO efforts to enhance infrastructure and operational readiness on NATO's eastern flank.
