Swedish soldiers of the Finnish-Swedish Division ride the Combat Vehicle 90 (CV90) during a demonstration of border crossing by Swedish and Finnish troops as part of the NATO Nordic Response 24 military exercise on March 9, 2024. Photo: Jonathan Nackstrand / AFP / Lehtikuva
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Finland will host joint exercises with Sweden and the United Kingdom involving 6,500 military personnel at the Rovajärvi training area between 12 and 31 May.
Led by the Kainuu Brigade, the exercises will include Northern Strike 125, a live-fire drill, and Northern Star 25, a combat exercise involving simulator-supported operations. The aim is to improve joint operational capability in northern conditions.
The Finnish Defence Forces confirmed the participation of approximately 900 Swedish and 350 British troops. British units will include an infantry company, an MLRS battery, and AH-64E Apache attack helicopters. The Swedish forces will be drawn from the 19th Brigade based in Boden.
Lieutenant Colonel Jukka Vuorisalmi, who is directing the exercise, said the joint drills will continue earlier multilateral training efforts and focus on developing command, joint fires, intelligence, and situational awareness.
“This exercise entity is on a logical continuum of exercises held over the past years for the purpose of capability development jointly with our allies,” he said.
The live-fire phase, Northern Strike 125, will include indirect fire drills by multinational teams. Close air support operations will combine Finnish F/A-18 Hornet fighter jets and British Apache helicopters. Infantry fire exercises by the Jaeger Brigade will also take place.
The Finnish Air Force will support air activity during the combat phase of the exercise, scheduled from 16 to 30 May. Drones will supplement air operations throughout this period. Helicopters from Finland, Sweden, and the UK will also operate together.
Northern Star 25 will involve a two-sided, simulator-assisted combat exercise. This will test coordination across land and air domains in real-time training scenarios.
Movement in and around the Rovajärvi range will be restricted during the combat phase from 26 to 31 May to ensure operational safety. The Finnish Defence Forces have set up a duty telephone line for local coordination.
Military officials described the exercise as part of wider defence cooperation with NATO allies. It comes amid increased regional concern following Russia’s military posture in the Baltic area. Defence planners have expressed concern over the potential redeployment of Russian forces in the event of a ceasefire in Ukraine.
The UK will contribute attack helicopters and long-range artillery to the joint fires training. Finnish and Swedish units will operate together under integrated command structures. Joint planning and execution will be practised in simulated combat settings.
Allied forces will focus on terrain familiarisation, coordination of artillery and air assets, and use of surveillance systems. The drills are designed to improve response capabilities and logistical integration across partner forces.
The exercise will also develop joint responses to simulated threats in arctic and sub-arctic conditions, with troops rotating through live and simulated operational roles.
Support elements from the Border Guard and other Finnish Defence Forces units will take part alongside primary combat units. The exercise is one of the largest multinational military drills held in Finland in recent years.
HT
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Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
