NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe has highlighted the growing impact of Sweden and Finland on the Alliance’s northern posture, describing their capabilities as a major enhancement to Arctic readiness.
Speaking during the Brussels military leadership meetings press conference, General Alexus Grynkewich said recent visits to the region had underlined how Nordic forces are transforming NATO’s ability to operate in extreme environments.
He told journalists that what he witnessed during demonstrations by Swedish forces illustrated the depth of capability now available to the Alliance. “Sweden and Finland and the capabilities that I saw on my trip there were very impressive,” he said.
Describing one exercise in detail, Grynkewich recalled observing Swedish Marines conducting complex multi-domain operations in the archipelago environment. “There were a couple of vessels coming ashore with Marines assaulting the island we were on,” he said, explaining that the demonstration combined surface manoeuvre, aerial surveillance and underwater reconnaissance.
He added: “He pointed up in the air and showed a few drones doing reconnaissance. Then he said we also have close reconnaissance capabilities and literally under our feet were two Swedish Marines who had just come up out of that icy-cold water.”
Grynkewich said the demonstration reflected the broader strength Nordic nations now bring to NATO’s northern flank. “The Swedes, the Finns, all the Nordic countries, Norway, Denmark, have tremendous capabilities that they bring to bear every single day up there,” he said.
He noted that Arctic security was no longer limited to regional actors alone, with wider Allied participation already taking place. “The United States has operated over the last several months up in the Arctic, north of the coast of Norway,” he said, adding that even nations geographically further south possess relevant capabilities for operations in the High North.
Concluding, the SACEUR said NATO was well positioned for future tasks in the region. “If we’re tasked to do any specific mission or just to continue our general approach to the Arctic, we’re well postured.”
Are they dedicated troops for rainy or shitty weather?
Eh?
The Nordics are very well cold weather trained – it is inherent in the culture.
The four of them together Norway, Finland, Sweden & Denmark add a huge amount collectively as they have a clear common goal of keeping The Bear out of their kitchen and they are prepared to spend big to achieve that.
Really shouldn’t be underestimated how much they collectively add to the alliance.