Photo: Roni Rekomaa / Lehtikuva
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The United States has increased its military presence in Finland with expanded training exercises and deployments to key Finnish brigades, the Finnish Defence Forces said on Wednesday.
American soldiers arrived in Finland in mid-July and have since been stationed in the Uusimaa Brigade, the Coastal Brigade, and the Karelia Brigade. The deployments mark the beginning of a wider training programme set to continue throughout the second half of 2025.
The bilateral exercises are part of the implementation of the Defence Cooperation Agreement (DCA) signed between Finland and the United States, which came into force last year. Under the agreement, American troops are permitted to operate on Finnish territory by mutual arrangement.
The deployments support joint training aimed at developing interoperability between the two nations. Finnish personnel are also receiving instruction in the operation and maintenance of US military equipment.
Major General Sami Nurmi, Deputy Chief of Staff Strategy, said the activities are based on longstanding defence cooperation between the two countries and reflect the growing importance of allied support in the current security environment.
“We will keep up our own ability to defend our country and be responsible for Finland’s military defence. Finland cannot, however, stand alone and isolate itself. In the current security environment, cooperation is indispensable,” Nurmi said.
According to the Finnish Defence Forces, additional joint activities involving US troops will take place across the country in the coming months. These will culminate in a large-scale exercise later this year involving all branches of the Finnish military.
The purpose of the training is to test and strengthen coordinated defence capabilities. According to Nurmi, harmonised systems and shared procedures are essential for effective collective defence.
“The presence of the United States is not a one-time exception, but a part of our nations’ continuing and deepening partnership and alliance,” he said.
The exercises will also extend outside of traditional training zones. American personnel and military equipment will be visible in civilian areas during the deployments.
“You may come across American troops and equipment across Finland. They are welcome. We may not be famous for great small talk skills, but nodding or smiling is good enough, if you see troops in the street,” Nurmi said.
The Defence Forces emphasise that national defence and international cooperation function in parallel. The strengthening US presence is intended to support both Finland’s sovereign defence capability and NATO-aligned security objectives in the Baltic Sea region.
Further details of upcoming phases and training locations will be announced later.
HT
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Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
