Finland is conducting its first major NATO artillery exercise since joining the alliance in April 2023.
The live-fire drills, part of NATO’s "Dynamic Front 25," began on Sunday and are taking place in Lapland, less than 200 kilometers from Russia’s border.
The exercise is NATO’s largest-ever artillery training in Europe. It includes simultaneous drills in Finland, Estonia, Germany, Romania, and Poland.
This marks the first time NATO allies are carrying out large-scale artillery drills on Finnish soil, according to Digi24.
3,600 Troops Involved
The training involves 3,600 troops from Finland, the United States, Sweden, the United Kingdom, France, and other NATO countries.
Soldiers are operating in Rovajärvi, Europe’s largest training and firing range, known for its Arctic conditions.
Colonel Janne Mäkitalo, commander of the exercise, emphasized the importance of the location.
"The area itself and its conditions are why allies want to train here," he said.
The exercises focus on multilateral tactical artillery fire and preparing soldiers for the region's harsh environment.
French Captain Romain, leading the 93rd Mountain Artillery Regiment, noted that the training improves NATO interoperability. Troops are working in freezing temperatures and snow, wearing specialized gear to handle the sub-zero conditions.
Finland’s NATO membership ended decades of military non-alignment. The decision followed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Sharing a 1,300-kilometer border with Russia, Finland has become a key ally in NATO’s northern defense.
The drills come amid ongoing tensions with Russia. In December 2023, Finland closed its land border with Russia, accusing Moscow of organizing the arrival of undocumented migrants to destabilize the country.
The Arctic exercise highlights NATO’s focus on strengthening defense in northern Europe. Finland’s strategic location and challenging terrain make it a critical part of NATO’s efforts to prepare for potential conflicts near the Russian border.
