Should Gov be able to call on Finns if Sweden attacked?
Sweden and Finland have deepened their military ties over the past few years and a proposal announced on Friday would take defense cooperation one step further.
The proposal would let the government decide whether to request military aid from Finland during an attack or a violation of Swedish territory. Today, that decision can only be made by Parliament.
However, Parliament’s approval would still be needed if Sweden wanted to send troops to help Finland fend off an attack, since that would be seen as an act of war, something Parliament should decide.
The proposal says, though, that the government could send forces to help Finland with a violation of its territory.
This year, Sweden will spend an estimated 52 billion Swedish kronor on defense. Finland will spend about 29 billion Swedish kronor.
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: Do Russian bomber patrols in the Arctic threaten Canada’s security and sovereignty?, Radio Canada International
Denmark: Denmark’s new defence agreement renews focus on protecting the Baltic, Radio Canada International
Finland: As Finnish Air Force seeks new fighters, expert weighs options, YLE News
Norway: Norway blames Russian troops for GPS jamming near border, The Independent Barents Observer
Russia: Russia to link military installations with trans-Arctic cable, The Independent Barents Observer
Sweden: Swedish military wants to double in size, Radio Sweden
United States: Trump signs defense bill to allow more missile interceptors in Alaska, Alaska Public Media
