Finland to take part in NATO’s major Arctic-focused exercises in March
“It’s crucial for Finland that the joint training activities planned by Nato extend directly onto Finnish soil,” Brigadier General Manu Tuominen tells Yle.
Thousands of Nato ally troops are set to arrive in Finland in March for the so-called ‘Cold Response’ military exercises.
The Finnish Army considers the exercise to be the most important drill of the year. It primarily aims to train troops to operate in demanding Arctic conditions.
Led by Norway, Cold Response 2026 will be held in the northern areas of Norway, Finland and Sweden.
According to Brigadier General Manu Tuominen, Cold Response drills will develop multinational cooperation and prepare troops to respond quickly to changes in the security environment. They also aim to test the functioning of logistics, as well as the movement and assembly of troops.
“It’s crucial for Finland that the joint training activities planned by Nato extend directly onto Finnish soil. It strengthens deterrence and defence capabilities,” Tuominen told Yle.
The exercises will involve a total of around 25,000 soldiers from 14 countries. About 7,500 troops will train in Finland, with more than half of them arriving by land or air from allied countries. The exercise is scheduled to be held from 9-20 March.
“The actual training battles will mainly take place in the Rovajärvi training area and in the Sodankylä area, where the Jaeger Brigade’s Arctic expertise will be utilised,” Tuominen explained.
The single largest contingent of soldiers, about 2,000, are coming from Sweden, while troops from the US, UK, France and Italy are also set to take part.
Most of the US troops will take part in the drills in Norway, but some will be in Finland — and mainly in Rovajärvi, according to Tuominen.
About 3,500 Finnish troops will participate in the exercise, 2,000 of whom are reservists.
“The exercise will contribute to cooperation of the Nordic countries and Nato as well as reinforce international cooperation and readiness to react to crises. It will support regional security and improve feasibility of joint defence plans,” a Finnish Defence Forces (FDF) press release issued earlier this month explained.
The training exercise is being led by Nato’s new Multi Corps Land Component Command (MCLCC), which started operations in Mikkeli, Finland in the autumn.
The roughly 10-person Nato staff at the command centre will receive reinforcements from allied troops during the exercise.
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: Greenlanders looking for Canadian support amid U.S. threats, Governor General says, CBC News
Denmark: EU chief promises ‘unflinching’ response to new tariffs as Trump trolls and threatens on social media, Reuters
Finland: Finland not sending more troops to Greenland, Yle News
Greenland: New Italy Arctic policy adds U.S. Greenland ambitions to growing Arctic competition narrative, Eye on the Arctic
Iceland: NATO chief to Arctic Allies: “We’re all frontline states now,” as Iceland’s role grows, Eye on the Arctic
Norway: “We want to be Europe’s most integrated region in terms of defence”, The Independent Barents Observer
Russia: Russia claims first-ever North Pole aerial refuelling, TASS reports, Reuters
Sweden: Swedish military intelligence on the great power rivalry over Greenland, Radio Sweden
United States: Trump lifts tariff threat and announces a ‘framework for a future deal’ on Greenland with NATO, The Associated Press
