Senior NATO land force leaders met in Rovaniemi, Finland, on 15–16 September for the semi-annual Land Corps Commanders’ Conference (LC3), focused on advancing new technologies and strengthening deterrence along the Alliance’s eastern flank, the UK Defence Journal understands.
The event was hosted by U.S. Army General Christopher Donahue, Commander of Allied Land Command (LANDCOM), and co-hosted by the Finnish Army under Lieutenant General Pasi Välimäki at the Jaeger Brigade headquarters in northern Finland. Discussions centred on the Eastern Flank Deterrence Line, an initiative that uses unmanned and minimally manned systems, integrated mission command networks, and real-time data to enhance NATO’s ability to detect, disrupt, and defeat adversaries.
General Donahue said the forum brought together leaders from the land, special forces, and component commands to strengthen NATO’s posture. “We convened this group in Finland, one our Alliance’s newest members, to ensure we have a unified approach across the eastern flank. This is accomplished through the Eastern Flank Deterrence Line – a forward looking all-domain approach to ensure we protect every inch of Alliance territory.”
The Finnish Army used the event to highlight operating conditions in the High North. Välimäki said the conference provided “an excellent opportunity to our allies to familiarize with operating under the conditions of the High North,” and that it gave new input for planning the deterrence concept.
Air Marshal Johnny Stringer, Deputy Commander of Allied Air Command, underlined the symbolism of the location. “Finland holds NATO’s longest direct land border with Russia. Holding the conference at Rovaniemi underscores NATO’s commitment to defending its northeastern flank and adapting to the security environment in the High North and Baltic region.”
Major General Lars Lervik, Chief of the Norwegian Army, called the meeting a sign of unity. “This conference was a strong confirmation of the unity in NATO and of the fact that all Nordic countries belong to NATO now. It was a great opportunity to talk about the land power and what is needed today and in the future.”
NATO stated that the concept and related capabilities discussed at LC3 are being tested in exercises, including the upcoming Steadfast Duel in October.
More details are available from NATO here.
I imagine the only reason the UK was there, was because of our special forces…
Tom, Lieutenant-General Sir Ralph Wooddisse, our Commander of the NATO Allied Rapid Reaction Corps, would have attended.
[Lt Gen Wooddisse was commissioned into the Royal Anglian Regiment in 1992 after completing a degree at University College London. The early part of his career was dominated by operational tours to Northern Ireland, the Balkans, Iraq and Afghanistan].
Potentially also CFA. Not sure why Tom thinks that we shouldn’t have attended.