Sweden Announces Ambition to Lead NATO Force in Finland
Sweden's MoD Pål Jonson (M) and Finland's MoD Antti Häkkänen (National Coalition Party) at yesterday's press conference. "Finland and Sweden have a long history of close bilateral defense cooperation. This is a major new step in the defense relationship between our countries. An enhanced forward presence in Finland combined with our robust national capabilities make for a strong overall deterrence and defense," says Häkkänen. (Photo: Niklas Forsström/the Swedish Government)
Sweden expresses readiness to take on the role as framework nation in the NATO enhanced forward presence to be established in Finland. “We foresee an initial presence in 2026,” states the Swedish Minister of Defense Pål Jonson.
In June, Finland received political backing from NATO's Ministers of Defense to establish the presence of Forward Land Forces (FLF) on Finnish territory, which will be scaled according to the security situation.
The planning process is now moving forward as Sweden has announced its intention to take on a leading role in the implementation of this forward presence.
This was made known after a meeting on Monday between between Finland's Defense Minister Antti Häkkänen and Sweden's Defense Minister Pål Jonson.
"Since the spring, we have been discussing Sweden's possible role in NATO's Land Forces presence to be established in Finland. I am very happy that Sweden has today announced its ambition to assume the framework nation role," says Häkkänen.
The matter is yet to be officially decided by the Swedish Government, informs the Finnish Ministry of Defense.
Lapland in Northern Finland has been referred to as a possible location for the FLF in Swedish and Finnish media, but this has not yet been officially confirmed. At the same time, MoD Jonson said at a press conference that the new allied presence will improve NATO's deterrence at northern latitudes, writes Yle.
Long-term project
"Sweden and Finland exercise together frequently, bilaterally, and together with other allies. This is a good foundation for FLF Finland,” Jonson states on X and continues:
“Our shared geography and proximity enable us to reinforce Finland – as of today – with short notice. In Finland, we foresee that we may start with staff officers for a planning element. Like the other Forward Land Forces, exercising is key.”
The Swedish Defense Minister also points out that the full establishment of the FLF structure in Finland will take several years.
“It is a long-term project building the structure step by step. We foresee an initial presence in 2026,” he outlines.
Finland is also in discussions with other potential participant countries. Norway is said to be among these, according to previous Yle reports.
