Rydberg takes command of Swedish NATO mission in Finland
Colonel Daniel Rydberg, since 2024 commander of the Norrbotten Brigade at the Norrbotten Regiment in Boden, will in early summer lead the Swedish contribution to Forward Land Forces (FLF) Finland through his brigade. – Forward Land Forces in Finland is NATO’s foremost line of defence in the north. There we stand together with Finland and our allies to deter attacks and defend the Nordic region.
Photo: David Luttu Carr
The multinational force constitutes a central part of NATO’s enhanced deterrence and defence in Northern Europe. With a Swedish battalion task group as its core and a permanent multinational staff element in Finland, FLF Finland will contribute to rapid deployment, the ability to conduct multi-domain operations, and strengthened defence capability in the High North.
– This is an important mission, both for Sweden and for NATO. We contribute to stability, deterrence and defence in an area of great strategic importance, says Daniel Rydberg.
Strengthening Nato’s presence in the High North
Daniel Rydberg began his military service as a conscript at Svea Life Guards in 1994. During basic training, a strong commitment to the officer profession emerged, leading to officer training and a long career, with most of his service at the Life Guards Brigade in Kungsängen. In 2010, he served in Afghanistan. After serving as deputy head of the Joint Forces Command’s Directorate of Capabilities and Individual Training, he was appointed colonel in 2024 and commander of the Norrbotten Brigade, which will now carry out Sweden’s task within FLF Finland.
The mission is clear: to lead the multinational battalion task group established along NATO’s eastern border with Russia. The task group will strengthen NATO’s presence in the High North and contribute to improved situational awareness and the ability to rapidly reinforce defence capabilities if needed.
Home ground
– With our background in the Norrbotten Brigade, we are used to operating in terrain with a limited road network, extreme cold, and deep snow—conditions that shape our training in an area that is our home ground. Our close cooperation with Finland allows us to quickly move from deployment in Boden across the border river and carry out tasks in northern Finland, says Daniel Rydberg.
Sweden takes command
Ahead of the establishment, Sweden will for the first time take on the role of framework nation, while Finland will be the host nation. The Swedish battalion task group will be based in Boden to ensure sustainability while meeting readiness requirements. In parallel, a multinational staff element (MNSE) will be established in Rovaniemi.
The brigade’s driving force
The build-up of FLF Finland will take place gradually, over time. The work begins with recruitment, staffing, planning, infrastructure development, and the formation of the unit, which is also an important part of the continued development of the Norrbotten Brigade.
– Initiating preparations with recruitment and unit formation is an important driving force in the continued building of the Norrbotten Brigade and our overall capability in the north, says Daniel Rydberg.
Stronger together
The establishment not only represents Sweden taking responsibility within NATO, but also a concrete contribution to a stronger collective defence in our region. Contributions from other countries to FLF Finland will gradually develop within the framework of multinational cooperation.