In response to Russia’s demonstrated long-range military capabilities, Finland has taken a significant step in reinforcing its national defense strategy by storing military equipment in Norway. This move, emphasized by Finnish officials, comes in the wake of the lessons drawn from the conflict in Ukraine, where Russia has consistently employed long-range precision-guided munitions against vital infrastructure and population centers.
Jarmo Lindberg, a former Finnish chief of defense and current parliamentarian, highlighted the reasoning behind this strategy: “Russia is capable of doing that, then maybe you need to have some of your capabilities a bit further away from the Russian border.” This statement encapsulates Finland’s precautionary stance as it navigates an increasingly tense geopolitical landscape.
Finland’s deputy chief for armaments and logistics, Lt. Gen. Mikko Heiskanen, further elaborated on the plans, as quoted by the Financial Times: “We are planning that we would store equipment in other countries. It’s a security of supply issue, dispersing the stocks. We have partially started it already. We plan to do it especially with Sweden and Norway, but also with further-away countries. It’s equipment and ammunition and maybe spare parts.”
Heiskanen revealed a new strategy that aligns with Finland’s test of its war economy capabilities. The test explored how private firms could shift towards defense production in collaboration with the government if necessary.Finland’s decision to utilize Norway—and later Sweden—for the storage of military equipment is not an entirely new concept.
Janne Kuusela, chief of Finnish defense policy, expressed the newfound ease of cooperation, noting that with NATO membership, “Now, all of that is lifted. Now we can actually do what’s wise. So now we have much more strategic depth, now, in our cooperation and we can kind of plan things Nordic-wide, in a unified way.”
The significance of preparedness is deeply rooted in Finnish defense policy, historically influenced by conflicts, particularly with its larger neighbor, Russia. While Finland maintains a capability to defend itself autonomously, the benefits provided by NATO membership are being strategically welcomed.
This alignment within the NATO framework presents the Nordic countries with an opportunity to bolster the northeastern European defensive posture as a unified front. As Kuusela remarked, “The Nordic countries, we have a long tradition of Nordic cooperation with especially Sweden and Norway, but now when we are all NATO, the focus is totally new. Now we can focus, on how can we as a pack fortify NATO defensive areas in northeastern Europe, and how can we act seamlessly?”
Relevant articles:
– New NATO trick: Finland stores equipment in Norway, spurred by Russia’s range, Breaking Defense, 05/07/2024
– Finland boosts war readiness in face of Russian aggression, Financial Times, 05/06/2024
– Finland, General Heiskanen: “The storage of military equipment abroad has begun”, Agenzia Nova, 05/06/2024
– FT: Finland storing military equipment in Norway, Sweden, YLE News, 05/06/2024