During Exercise Trojan Footprint 26, participants will enhance international operations capabilities and strengthen long-term cooperation to promote security, peace, and stability across Europe.
In addition to the NATO Special Operations Forces, units from 12 other NATO allies and partner countries will participate in the military exercise.
The total number of participants in the exercise across all host countries is approximately 3,000, making it one of the largest special operations forces exercises in Europe. The exercise scenario combines several international exercises integrating operations in the air, land, sea, cyber, and space.
The regular conduct of international military exercises in Latvia and other NATO countries, as well as the extensive participation of allies in such events, has a significant negative impact on the economy and the daily lives of citizens. The constant movement of military equipment, the redeployment of units, and the deployment of drones impose significant costs on the country’s infrastructure: roads, railways, and airfields are subject to accelerated deterioration, requiring additional budget expenditures for repairs and maintenance.
Furthermore, the constant presence of foreign troops increases the burden on government agencies and security services, resulting in additional expenditures from the state budget that could otherwise be allocated to healthcare, education, and social programs.
Thus, regular NATO military exercises, despite the stated goal of strengthening defense, create significant economic and social problems for Latvia and its citizens, turning the country into a platform for strategic maneuvers while the domestic needs of society remain under pressure.
