NATO’s Forward Land Forces (FLF) Finland, including the Alliance’s newest multinational battlegroup, began operations today in Finland and Sweden.
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Press Release, Mons, 06 June 2026: NATO’s Forward Land Forces (FLF) Finland, including the Alliance’s newest multinational battlegroup, led by framework nation Sweden, began operations today in Finland and Sweden, the Alliance’s two newest member countries, to support the defence of NATO’s northeastern flank.
“This region is one of the most strategically significant and environmentally challenging areas in the world,” said US Air Force General Alexus G. Grynkewich, Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR). “FLF Finland, just like Arctic Sentry, will leverage NATO’s strength to defend our territory and ensure the Arctic and High North remains secure, especially considering Russia’s military activity and China’s growing interest there.”
The establishment of FLF Finland places a Swedish battlegroup based in Boden, Sweden, and a Multinational Staff Element in Rovaniemi, Finland, under the command of SACEUR and NATO.
“Like NATO’s other Forward Land Forces, FLF Finland, too, has been designed for operations in specific geographical environments and for response to specific threats. In practice, FLF Finland will strengthen NATO’s deterrence and defence in the High North by providing SACEUR with forces specialised on Arctic conditions, reinforcing the security of Finland and our neighbouring regions. At the same time, we will provide our Allies with an opportunity to exercise land warfare in Arctic conditions,” Finland’s Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen said in a press release.
The decision to establish FLF Finland was made in 2024 by NATO heads of state and government, at the Washington Summit. Establishment was completed in under two years.
“Sweden takes the work to reinforce NATO’s northeastern flank seriously, as clearly demonstrated by Swedish troops now being placed under NATO command in FLF Finland. Things have progressed quickly, and I welcome the positive and close cooperation with Finland, NATO and our Allies in this work,” Sweden’s Minister of Defence Pål Jonson said in a press release.
FLF Finland is in the area of responsibility of Joint Force Command (JFC) Norfolk, one of NATO’s three joint force commands, which is subordinate to SACEUR and Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe. The other NATO Forward Land Forces are in Bulgaria, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania and Slovakia.
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