NATO Strengthens Defense Near Russia with New Combat Group in Finland

A multinational NATO combat group has been established in Finland to strengthen deterrence against Russia.

Sweden is leading the group, providing a battalion-sized unit as its core.

During a ceremony, command of the Swedish troops was officially transferred to NATO.

“Sweden takes the strengthening of NATO’s northeastern flank seriously, as shown by placing our troops under NATO command within the Forward Land Forces in Finland,” said Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson.

The Forward Land Forces in Finland (FLF Finland) is NATO’s ninth multinational combat group and will boost the Alliance’s defense and deterrence in the High North.

The force also builds on the extensive bilateral defense cooperation between Sweden and Finland.

As the framework nation, Sweden is providing a battalion-sized battle group which, together with a multinational headquarters element in Rovaniemi, will form the core of the Forward Land Forces in Finland.

The Swedish battalion battle group is stationed in Boden, Sweden, and is ready to operate across the northern regions of Norway, Sweden, and Finland. If needed, it can be quickly deployed to reinforce northern Finland.

In 2026, Sweden will contribute about 600 troops to NATO’s Forward Land Forces in Finland, with the option to increase the deployment to 1,200 personnel.

“FLF Finland, like Arctic Sentry, will strengthen NATO’s ability to defend Allied territory and maintain security in the Arctic and High North, especially given Russia’s military activities and China’s growing interest in the region,” Alexus G. Grynkewich, NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), announced.

NATO leaders approved the creation of the Forward Land Forces in Finland (FLF Finland) in 2024.

FLF Finland is part of NATO’s forward defense posture, joining other multinational battle groups already deployed in Bulgaria, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia.