France joins Swedish-led NATO force
At the NATO Summit in Ankara, France announced its intention to contribute to NATO's multinational Forward Land Forces (FLF) Finland. Based in Boden, Sweden, and Rovaniemi, Finland, the force constitutes an important contribution to the Alliance's deterrence and defence along its northern flank.
Finnish and Swedish soldiers during the inauguration ceremony of FLF Finland.
Photo: FörsvarsmaktenFrance's participation will further strengthen NATO's deterrence and defence in Northern Europe.
”A French contribution to FLF Finland is highly welcome. It demonstrates strong European cooperation, our shared commitment to collective security, and that we do not stand alone in the defence of Northern Europe,” said Major General Johan Pekkari, Director of the Strategic Plans and Policy unit at the Swedish Armed Forces Headquarters.
France's planned contribution to the multinational force will add armed personnel and military capabilities from another allied nation to FLF Finland.
FLF Finland forms part of NATO's land defence posture and is one of nine multinational land forces established to reinforce NATO's borders and strengthen the Alliance's deterrence and defence. The headquarters of the multinational force is located in Rovaniemi, Finland, while Sweden's contribution to FLF Finland consists of a battalion battle group based in Boden. The Swedish unit, which has been under NATO command since 6 June, is designed to deploy rapidly to reinforce northern Finland when required.
As the multinational force continues to develop, Denmark, Iceland, Italy, Norway, and the United Kingdom have also expressed their intention to contribute to FLF Finland.