NATO has Launched Forward Land Forces Finland

The core of NATO Forward Land Forces Finland (FLF) is a battle group in the Norrbotten Brigade, Northern Sweden. It will be able to move rapidly to Finnish Lapland to conduct operations under a multinational staff element in Rovaniemi.

With the official establishment of the FLF Finland on Saturday, the battle group and staff element were placed under the command of General Alexus G. Grynkewich, Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR).

“The northern flank places specific demands on the units that will operate there. It involves subarctic climate, vast distances, limited infrastructure and extensive roadless terrain. The units of the Norrbotten Brigade have long experience of training and operating under these conditions and can rapidly act across the entire area of operations,” says Daniel Rydberg, Commander of NATO force in Boden, in a press release.

“In practice, FLF Finland will strengthen NATO’s deterrence and defense in the High North by providing SACEUR with forces specialised on Arctic conditions, reinforcing the security of Finland and our neighbouring regions. At the same time, we will provide our Allies with an opportunity to exercise land warfare in Arctic conditions,” states Finland’s Minister of Defense Antti Häkkanen.

“Answer to Russia’s provocations”

Sweden is the framework nation for FLF Finland and is currently contributing a battle group of around 600 personnel, which can be increased to 1,200 if necessary. In the future, the land force will be developed to become multinational, and its total strength will be of brigade size.

France, the United Kingdom, Norway, Denmark, Iceland and Italy have announced their participation in the development of the forward presence. As of today, Sweden, Finland and the United Kingdom are contributing a number of staff officers to the staff element in Rovaniemi.

“As framework nation, Sweden takes responsibility for allied security in the High North. FLF Finland is a robust answer to Russia’s provocations along NATO’s Eastern Flank. It also marks a new chapter in Swedish-Finnish defense cooperation, built on shared history, geography and values,” states Sweden’s Minister of Defense Pål Jonson.

“Credible capability”

Also present at the ceremony in Boden was Vice Admiral James Morley, Deputy Commander of NATO JFC Norfolk in Virginia, USA.

"The integration of Finland and Sweden into Joint Force Command Norfolk’s Joint Operating Area has significantly strengthened NATO’s posture in the High North. By integrating their capabilities, expertise, and national defence plans into NATO’s regional defence architecture, we have enhanced our ability to deter aggression, reinforce Allies, and defend the Alliance’s northern flank," says Morley and continues:

“Forward Land Forces Finland is a tangible expression of that integration – providing a credible, multinational capability that strengthens our command and control of the region and contributes directly to activities such as Arctic Sentry, where we validate our readiness, interoperability, and ability to operate effectively in Arctic and sub-Arctic environments.”