Finland, 1 of NATO's youngest members, intends to engage in maritime tasks as part of the Alliance's collective defence in peacetime in 2027. At the same time, the Finnish government plans to strengthen military possible at borders with Russia. It will not send troops to allied groups stationed outside Finland and participate in Air Police missions.
Ship of the Finnish Navy during the "Neptune Strike 25" exercise.
A decision related to the participation of the Finnish troops in NATO's activities in 2027 was taken by the government in Helsinki in late January after the presentation of the plan of defence Minister Antti Häkkänen. Finland's participation is primarily intended to include the support of the Alliance's advanced naval forces. Helsinki plans to divert 1 of its 3 Katanpää-type ships (multi-tasking mine destroyer) to the NATO Permanent defence Force Group 1 (SNMCMG1). Notabene, since January 2026 this squad has been commanded by a Polish naval officer kmdr Lt. Casper Sterne. For the next six months he will be at the head of the staff, in which Polish officers and sub-commissioners, separated from the 8th Coast Defence Fleet units, play the main role. They direct the activities of a squad of Natian ships.
The primary task of SNMCMG1 ships is to search, detect and destruct dangerous submarines. The team's ships not only form a mine defence strategy in this way, but besides show the solidarity of the Alliance members in their efforts to guarantee safety in European waters. In this way, they strengthen the protection of critical infrastructure and monitor the movement of ships in the Baltic Sea, as well as their constant readiness to respond to possible sabotage acts.
Finland besides declares its willingness to proceed utilizing 1 of its 4 Hamina-type rocket boats for allied tasks. specified a unit under the Finnish flag, FNS Pori (83), joined the NATO Permanent Maritime Group (SNMG1) last year and performed tasks in the Baltic Sea within the framework of Operation Baltic Sentry. “By participating in collective defence tasks in peacetime, we show solidarity with our allies, defence readiness and our work for safety in the Baltic region,” said Minister Häkkänen.
The Finnish government besides reported that it did not plan to send its troops in 2027 to operate abroad under the FLF (Forward Land Forces – NATO's advanced land forces), which consist of 8 multinational militant groups deployed in Bulgaria, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia, Poland and Romania. "The current situation in safety policy is that the best solution is to focus Finnish ground troops on activities within Finland. An example of this is the establishment of Multi-Corps Land Component Command North in Finland and the planned creation of forward Land Forces Finland, which may be expanded if necessary. Both elements strengthen NATO's collective defence, explained the Finnish Minister of Defence. The decision to open 2 FLF bases in the north of Finland was made in 2025. Soldiers from Sweden, France, Iceland, Norway and large Britain are to participate in the creation of these forces.
Finland besides does not intend to participate next year in the oversight of the air-agency States (Air Police) due to the ongoing modernisation of the air force fleet. “Progress in our F-35 programme will decide erstwhile we can contribute to Air Policeing missions in the airspace of our allies,” said Minister Häkkänen. In 2022, Finland ordered 64 F-35A aircraft to replace the Hornet fleet F/A-18C/D. The first F-35 will be scheduled to arrive before the end of 2026 to the 11th Fighter Squadron stationed in the north of the country (Rovaniemi, Laponia). As of 2028, the Finnish F-35A will besides strengthen the 31st Hunting Squadron from the Kuopio area in the southeast of the country. Both Finnish air bases are located about 150 km from the Russian border.