NATO Conducts First Brigade-Level Test of Hundreds of UGVs in Latvian Forests, Faces Communication Challenges

NATO conducted large-scale testing of hundreds of unmanned ground vehicles at the brigade level for the first time during Exercise Crystal Arrow 2026, which ran from May 5-15 in southeastern Latvia under Latvian leadership. The alliance's Task Force X selected European manufacturers to test their UGV platforms under the Eastern Flank Deterrence Initiative.

Roughly 180 kilometers from the Russian border in the Sēlija region, multinational operators grappled with deep woodlands that disrupted communication links for the robot-like vehicles.

Several users reported significant challenges with the UGVs’ communication systems in densely forested areas of Latvia. Many UGVs used Starlink as their main communication system. A Latvian National Guard soldier operated the Natrix UGV during the exercise.

The Natrix UGV is a Latvian-made platform that was tested in Ukraine and was used primarily for logistics and medical evacuation. The platform is equipped with Starlink, a medium longer-range radio, and a closer-range radio. “A key challenge of operating a Starlink-equipped UGV is under a canopy of trees [dense foliage], which degrades communication links very rapidly or blocks the line-of-sight required to maintain high-speed, continuous connection,” a Latvian National Guard soldier told Breaking Defense.

SpaceX did not return a request for comment. Communication issues from vegetation also affected aerial drones during the exercise. Canadian soldiers in a reconnaissance unit within NATO’s Multinational Brigade in Latvia used the American-made Raven-B drone.

“How high and dense the tree line is messes with our equipment and signal,” Corporal Elana Clement stated. Forests cover 50 percent of Latvia’s territory, according to Latvia’s Investment and Development Agency. In contrast, woodlands cover around 16 percent of Ukraine’s territory.

Ukraine Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov stated in a Telegram post in April that Kyiv will contract industry to produce 25,000 UGVs over the first half of 2026. Maj. Eduards Šinkūns, the exercise director and Commander of the Latvian Infantry Battalion, noted key differences between the two countries’ terrain.

“In Ukraine, the line of sight is much further — in Latvia it is much closer, and this allows us to utilize this terrain for our needs and as an advantage where it’s easy to block the roads, for example,” Maj. Eduards Šinkūns stated. He added that harsh Latvian winters demand a rethink of fighting tactics because winter conditions make off-road movements nearly impossible due to mud.

The trees provide natural camouflage for Latvia’s defense while creating operational challenges for UGVs. The Baltic state is among several countries interested in gradually introducing UGVs into their military structure and doctrine to complement existing capabilities. Breaking Defense reported that NATO accepted travel and accommodation support to cover the event.