Bloomberg reports, citing officials familiar with the situation, that it is unlikely that NATO will deploy defense structures in Finland at this time.
The official representative of NATO stated that there are currently no plans to deploy a combat group of the Alliance, adding that the Supreme Allied Commander of NATO constantly assesses threats and may make such a recommendation if deemed necessary. It is known that Finland has not made such a request.
“We have developed our compatibility with NATO through exercises. There is still significant work ahead to integrate Finland’s defense as part of NATO’s collective defense. Finland’s defense forces are facing new demands and challenges that we must respond to,” said the country’s President Sauli Niinistö at the induction ceremony on Tuesday.
The command of the NATO Joint Armed Forces in Europe is currently developing the alliance’s regional plans, which are to be sent to allies this month.
The Finnish Armed Forces, which can deploy 280,000 military personnel during wartime through their conscription system, have long been trained to defend their territory from attacks and already have their own combat-capable fighting groups, said a NATO official.
According to him, it is more likely that Finland will provide troops to other combat groups.
On April 4th, Finland officially became a member of NATO. Its application was approved by the foreign ministers of the Alliance’s member countries yesterday in Brussels.