Sweden has agreed to take the lead in managing a forthcoming NATO land force stationed in Finland, the two Nordic countries announced on Monday.
This decision marks a significant step following their shift from decades of military neutrality to joining the NATO alliance.
Finland and Sweden applied for NATO membership in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Finland officially joined in 2023, while Sweden became a member this year.
In July, NATO proposed establishing a Forward Land Forces (FLF) presence in Finland, which shares a 1,340-kilometre (830-mile) border with Russia. According to Finnish Defence Minister Antti Hakkanen, this type of military presence requires a “framework nation” to oversee its implementation.
Finland has requested that Sweden assume this role. Swedish Defence Minister Pal Jonson confirmed Sweden’s willingness to manage the FLF, though he noted that the process is still in its preliminary stages. Discussions and planning will continue within NATO, and further consultations will be held with the Swedish parliament.
Hakkanen added that specifics regarding the force, including troop numbers and exact locations, will be determined through further planning with NATO allies. Currently, NATO maintains eight multinational battlegroups in Eastern Europe, situated in Bulgaria, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia.
