Tanks, teamwork, and top-tier firepower! At Ādaži Training Ground in Latvia, NATO tank crews went head-to-head in a demonstration of precision and power.
Synopsis
NATO armoured crews from across the Alliance come together every year to compete in live-fire and tactical challenges at Ādaži Training Ground, in Latvia. During the competition they exchange tactics and deepen their ties in an event that proves their skills and put their heavy machines to the test.
The Iron Spear 2025 tank competition tested tank crews on gunnery accuracy, coordination, and combat readiness under simulated battlefield conditions - a powerful demonstration of NATO’s strength, unity, and preparedness on Latvia’s soil.
Participating nations included Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Poland, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom, operating main battle tanks such as the Leopard 2 and Challenger 2.
Beyond the competition, Iron Spear underscored NATO’s commitment to collective defence and its ability to operate as a cohesive force.
Transcript
— TEXT ON SCREEN —
ĀDAŽI
LATVIA
GRAPHIC: LT COL DARRYN GRAY – Commander, Multinational Battlegroup Latvia
—SOUNDBITE IN ENGLISH (SUBTITLES IN ENGLISH) —
Lieutenant Colonel Darryn Gray – Commander, Multinational battlegroup Latvia
“We're very much aware of what's going on in the geopolitical environment, the threat actors that are out there, the concerns with the Russian-Ukrainian war.
—SOUNDBITE IN ENGLISH (SUBTITLES IN ENGLISH) —
Lieutenant Colonel Darryn Gray – Commander, Multinational battlegroup Latvia
“We provide safety and security to the countries that we are residing in right now, as this multinational battlegroup, here in Latvia.”
— TEXT ON SCREEN —
EVERY YEAR ALLIES
COME TOGETHER
IN LATVIA
TO PUT THEIR
TANKS
TO THE TEST
BUILDING TEAM SPIRIT
AND PRACTISING
SHARED TACTICS
THIS YEAR
NINE ALLIES
TOOK PART
STRENGTHENING
THEIR UNITY
AND READINESS
TO DEFEND
—SOUNDBITE IN ENGLISH (SUBTITLES IN ENGLISH) —
Lieutenant Colonel Darryn Gray – Commander, Multinational battlegroup Latvia
“We have had a deep-seated history with the Latvians. We are on exercises with their Latvian Armed Forces very regularly, as we enhance that overall NATO presence.
“It is such an honour to be here as part of this massive team, sharing those skills, reinforcing the strength of NATO and reinforcing the overall presence that we have as part of NATO.
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