Stubb heads to Lapland for NATO exercise after 24 foreign trips
NATO’s largest artillery exercise in Europe ever focuses on Rovajärvi in Finnish Lapland.
During the first months of his term, President Alexander Stubb has travelled more than twice as much as his predecessor, Sauli Niinistö, did during the same period.
Niinistö stepped down at the beginning of March after 12 years in office.
Stubb has made 24 trips abroad in the first eight months, while Niinistö made 11 trips abroad in the same period.
According to the presidential office, the amount of travel is due to world political situation, which requires face-to-face meetings to get a comprehensive picture of the situation.
This past week, Stubb spoke at COP29, the UN Climate Change Conference in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Largest NATO artillery exercise centres on Lapland
On Monday, Stubb travels to Finnish Lapland to observe a multinational field artillery exercise.
During the inspection visit, Stubb will observe Lightning Strike 24, an exercise led by the Finnish Army Academy. Lightning Strike 24 is part of the US-led Dynamic Front 25 exercise.
During his visit, Stubb will be introduced to Nato’s Allied Rapid Reaction Corps and meet with exercise staff.
Dynamic Front 25 is being conducted across five countries, including Estonia, Germany, Romania and Poland.
It is the largest Nato artillery exercise in Europe ever, involving more than 5,000 troops from 28 nations. The geographical focus is on Rovajärvi in Finnish Lapland, where some 3,600 soldiers will be training.
Rovajärvi is the Finnish Army’s main artillery practice range, the largest of its kind in western Europe. At more than 1,100 square kilometres, it sprawls across parts of Kemijärvi and Rovaniemi.
Related stories from around the North:
Canada : Canadian military says it has tracked, stopped China surveillance in Arctic waters, The Canadian Press
Finland: Russian cyber attacks, espionage pose growing threat to Finnish national security, Yle news
Iceland: Arctic allies meet in Iceland to tackle growing security challenges, climate, Eye on the Arctic
Norway: Norway defence budget to ensure armed forces strong enough to deter Russia, The Independent Barents Observer
Russia: Russian defence minister visits naval infantry brigade near Nordic NATO border, The Independent Barents Observer
Sweden: Exercise to strengthen Nordic cooperation on food preparedness, Radio Sweden
United States: Startling video shows Russian fighter jet flying within feet of U.S. F-16 near Alaska, The Associated Press
