NATO Military Committee visits Finland
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From 27 to 29 May, the NATO Military Committee visited Rovaniemi in Finland. The visit was hosted by the Chief of Defence Command Finland, Lieutenant General Vesa Virtanen.
Throughout the visit, the Military Committee was briefed by Finnish military officials on Finland’s comprehensive security and defence strategy. Finland’s geostrategic environment, comprehensive security model and the success of Finland’s Security Strategy for Society were topics discussed across the visit. Finland’s bilateral and multilateral defence cooperation with regional and international allies was discussed within the context of Finland becoming the 31st member of the NATO Alliance in April 2023.
On Tuesday 28th May, the Military Committee observed the operations of Exercise Northern Forest 24 in Rovajärvi. The interoperability of the 6900 troops from Finland, Norway and the US participating in the exercise demonstrated to the Military Committee Finland’s commitment to enhancing military interoperability and readiness between Allies. The Military Committee also had the opportunity to observe Finland’s conscription system illustrated through the participation of conscripted Finnish soldiers in the exercise.
On the final day of the trip, the Military Committee was joined by Finland’s Chief of Defence, General Janne Jaakkola. The Military Committee also had the opportunity to engage with Finnish defence industry and technological representatives.
Chair of the Military Committee Admiral Rob Bauer emphasised the importance of the visit in exemplifying Finland’s defence capabilities and how this contributes to the Alliance’s collective defence. Admiral Bauer highlighted how Finland’s comprehensive defence strategy embodies the Finnish ‘sisu’, demonstrating an extraordinary resilience and determination in the face of adversity. Admiral Bauer emphasised the security of Finland’s position within NATO, and the mutual promise of security shared between all 32 Allies: ‘Finland has 31 Allies, 31 friends, who will protect them no matter what; and 31 Allies can also count on Finland for their protection if they need help. Just as we can count on Finland’.
The visit of the Military Committee to Finland is the first time the Military Committee visited Finland since it became a member of the Alliance in April 2023.