The Nordic cooperation is the core of the execution of Arctic Challenge Exercise. With the framework, the purpose is to strengthen the participant’s national defense, explore common synergies and facilitate common solutions. The cooperation should lead to increased operational effect, enhanced quality, better resource allocation and cost-efficiency of each nations’ armed forces.
Swedish, Norwegian and Finnish air forces have joined in Cross Border Training (CBT) since 2008. CBT events are cost efficient exercises where the respective nations’ fighter jets operating from their home bases meet in the air to train different scenarios. In 2011, the discussions started on a larger scale CBT exercise, where the Nordic countries invited allies and partners to join. In 2013, the first ever Arctic Challenge Exercise was launched. Since then ACE has been conducted every second year. For ACE 23 Finland is the lead nation with 14 nations participating.
The aim of ACE 23 is to exercise and train units in the orchestration and conduct of air operations, striving to Flag level execution, to include execution of tactics and Command and Control procedures. ACE 23 is also an opportunity to train cooperation and interoperability between 4th and 5th generation fighters. This year, the exercise will also deepen the international cooperation with our partners in the air domain in the High North.
The exercise is being conducted from four different air bases in three countries:
- Luleå Kallax Air Base, Sweden.
- Örland Air Base, Norway.
- Rovaniemi and Pirkkala, Finland.
Nations participating in ACE 23:
Sweden, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Finland, United Kingdom, The Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, France, Belgium, Italy, Norway, U.S.A and Canada. NATO is also participating with AWACS.
Norrbotten Wing of the Swedish Air Force will host units from following nations at Luleå Air Base:
Switzerland, Denmark, Netherlands and United Kingdom.
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