Norway Assumes Leadership of NORDEFCO On January 1st, Norway assumed leadership of the Nordic Defence Cooperation (NORDEFCO) after Finland. War in Europe and heightened uncertainty have increased the significance of cooperation. "Europe can not take security for granted," says Norway's Minister of Defense, Tore O. Sandvik.
Finland Seeks Allied Cooperation on Space-Based Surveillance in the High North Finland is building up satellite surveillance capability and wants to join forces with allies to strengthen collective defense, said Minister of Defense Antti Häkkänen at NATO's Arctic Space Forum. Key Finnish and Swedish space actors have already signed a letter of intent on cooperation.
Nordic Defense Ministers and Chiefs of Defense Gathered to Enhance Joint Combat Power All Nordic defense ministers and chiefs of defense recently met in Helsinki. A key topic was the development of air forces capable of combined operations. “This is important for strengthening NATO’s deterrence and defense in the High North,” says Antti Häkkänen, Finnish Minister of Defense.
Northern Nordic Military Leaders Gathered to Bolster Cooperation The commanders of Norway, Finland and Sweden's northern brigades and home guard forces recently met in Troms, Northern Norway, to forge even closer ties. “This cooperation significantly improves our defense capabilities in the North,” says Terje Bruøygard, Commander of the Norwegian Brigade North.
Iceland and Finland to Strengthen Defense Cooperation On Tuesday, Iceland and Finland signed a Memorandum of Understanding on defense cooperation. "This agreement underscores Iceland's increased emphasis on regional and bilateral cooperation with neighboring countries and central allies," says the Icelandic Minister of Foreign Affairs.
The Major Arctic Challenge Exercise 2025 is Cancelled The fighter jet exercise Arctic Challenge was to take place in May-June across Norway, Finland, Sweden and Denmark, with US participation. The decision to cancel the exercise was made in unity by the Nordic air force chiefs, informs the Norwegian Air Force.
Nordic Defense Ministers Met in Lapland: Updated NORDEFCO With New Agreement New measures are bolstering Nordic defense cooperation. Gathered in Rovaniemi, the Nordic defense ministers signed a revised NORDEFCO Memorandum of Understanding – and discussed stronger joint efforts within air defense and the defense industry.
Nordic Defense Ministers Met in Lapland: Updated NORDEFCO With New Agreement New measures are bolstering Nordic defense cooperation. Gathered in Rovaniemi, the Nordic defense ministers signed a revised NORDEFCO Memorandum of Understanding – and discussed stronger joint efforts within air defense and the defense industry.
Nordic Defense Cooperation is Becoming Even More Tangible The Nordic Ministers of Defense will strengthen operational cooperation, enhance military mobility, and initiate drone collaboration. "These measures concretize the Nordic countries' efforts to be able to carry out joint military operations if deterrence fails," says professor.
Arctic Chiefs of Defense Meeting in Iceland Recently, the allied Arctic chiefs of defense met in Keflavík to discuss the regional security situation and the opportunities for increased cooperation. The US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff also met bilaterally with his counterparts from Norway, Sweden and Iceland.
De-escalation Is Best Achieved With Credible Deterrence and Defense, says Finnish Major General Oslo (High North News): "The Russians only respect strength and determination," says Sami Nurmi, Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategy in the Finnish Defence Forces. He comments on the planned NATO forward land force in Finland and underlines the importance of allied competence in operating in Arctic conditions.
Nordic Defense Cooperation Strengthened With New Joint Concept The Nordic Chiefs of Defense have signed an agreement on a joint defense concept for the region. This will synchronize the countries' defense plans and facilitate, among other things, more joint military exercises and educational activities, capacity building, and joint operations.
New Vision for Nordic Defense Cooperation: Eight Areas for Vigorous Joint Action A united Nordic region in NATO now join forces to lift the Nordic defense cooperation into a new era. "Russia will remain a threat against European and global security for the foreseeable future," believes the Nordic allies, wanting to engage in operational military interaction.
Norwegian F-35 Fighters Landed on a Finnish Highway for the First Time On Thursday afternoon, two Norwegian F-35A fighters landed and took off on a highway in Finland. "A milestone for the Norwegian Air Force, the Nordic countries and NATO," says the Chief of the Norwegian Air Force.
Ambitious Vision for Nordic Defence Cooperation in the Works With a view to all the Nordic countries in NATO, a new and updated future vision for the region’s defense cooperation is now being developed. At the same time, the outline of a new Nordic defense concept is being drawn up at a military level.
Arctic Challenge Exercise 2023: 150 Aircraft Will Train In the High North At the end of May, the large-scale fighter jet exercise Arctic Challenge Exercise will begin across Norway, Finland, and Sweden. The main activity will take place in the High North – and will include the first major F-35 exercise in Europe.
Norway, Finland, and Sweden Increase Focus on the High North as Joint Operational Area Norway, Finland, and Sweden has entered into an updated defense cooperation agreement with a focus on the High North. "With this update, we can coordinate military operations as if they are NATO members," says the Norwegian Minister of Defense.
Nordic Defense Cooperation: New Cap of the North Agreement On Tuesday, the Nordic defense ministers met in Oslo within the format NORDEFCO. Norway, Sweden, and Finland signed an updated agreement on increased operational cooperation, especially regarding northern parts of the countries.
Nordic Countries to Further Strengthen Defence and Security Cooperation The Nordic Prime Ministers want an even closer cooperation regarding defence and security. Relevant areas for stronger cooperation are air defence, logistics and supply, as well as joint training and exercises.
Nordic Defense Ministers: Will Increase Future Military Presence in the Nordic Countries In the coming months, the Nordic countries will strengthen their military presence in the region through joint exercises, training and visits, the Nordic defense ministers state in a new joint statement.
Norway’s Defense Chief on Nordic Cooperation: “We are Closer than Ever Before” The Defense Chiefs of Norway, Sweden and Finland have had a three-day gathering in Northern Norway during the Cold Response exercise. According to them, the Nordic defense cooperation has gained more of a key role and is subject to more overall thinking.
