16:48 28-10-2025

NATO Troops Struggle with Terrain During Latvia Drills

North Atlantic Treaty Organization / www.nato.int

NATO troops from the UK, Latvia, and Canada faced major difficulties during the Forest Guardian drills in Latvia, struggling with terrain and disrupted navigation systems.

NATO troops taking part in the Forest Guardian military drills in Latvia this October found themselves battling not only simulated opponents but also the country’s unforgiving terrain. According to Bloomberg, the marshy and densely wooded landscape turned out to be a serious obstacle for military vehicles and robotic platforms.

The exercises involved contingents from the United Kingdom, Latvia, and Canada, who practiced defensive maneuvers and ambush operations using drones and automated systems. The conditions, however, proved too harsh for some of the equipment. Armored vehicles and transporters struggled to move across soft, uneven ground, while several robotic units could barely handle the terrain.

Brigadier General Matt Lewis, commander of the British Army’s 11th Brigade, noted that such geographical conditions were «a challenge the British Army hasn’t faced in 50 or 60 years." After the drills, part of his brigade will be redeployed to Finland — another region known for its swamps and dense forests — where similar environmental trials await both soldiers and machines.

Aside from the natural barriers, troops also faced technological hurdles. For many participants, this was their first hands-on experience with the Cobalt robotic platform and remotely operated drones and vehicles. Navigation was further complicated by signal interference and GPS jamming, forcing units to adapt quickly under pressure.

The Forest Guardian drills highlighted the growing role of autonomous systems in NATO Zoperations — and the practical challenges of deploying them in real-world battlefield conditions.