“We saw a need to create a tailored model for Finland to ensure that allied troops can show their presence and defence capabilities here when we want to,” Defense Minister Antti Häkkänen said.
Next week, Finland will attend its second Nato summit as a full member of the alliance, in Washington DC.
Over the past year, Finland’s expectations from Nato have evolved, and the Nordic country is now seeking the presence of allied troops on its soil.
Initially, given its robust national defence and conscription model, Finland viewed its need for foreign ground troops as symbolic. However, recent developments, particularly Russia’s unpredictable behaviour and its alliances with countries like Iran and North Korea, has prompted a reassessment.
“We saw a need to create a tailored model for Finland to ensure that allied troops show their presence and defence capabilities here whenever needed,” Defense Minister Antti Häkkänen explained to Yle.
This shift underscores Finland’s changed perspective since joining Nato, now emphasising a need for allied military presence to enhance security.
Häkkänen is currently engaging with his counterparts from across the alliance to identify which Nato countries could station troops in Finland.
Nato’s Forward Land Forces (FLF) model would be carried out differently in Finland, compared to other eastern Nato states, and focus more on regular training and intensified exercises if situations were to escalate.
Nato defence ministers approved the FLF arrangement in June, and Finland is now developing its own variant of it.
This week, Finland’s parliament finalised a Defence Cooperation Agreement (DCA) with the US, effectively making American support a cornerstone of Finland’s defence strategy.
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