Article from the Handelsblatt Journal Security and Defense
Even though the future of NATO is now being questioned by the US administration under President Trump, developments in Northern Europe are certainly relevant to European defense capabilities. If one looks for positive examples of successful defense cooperation in Europe, one finds several, particularly in the Nordic-Baltic region.
The five Nordic countries – Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden – have been working closely together for decades in various regional contexts: both in different bilateral and trilateral formats, as well as within the framework of the Nordic Defence Cooperation (NORDEFCO). The closest bilateral cooperation developed between Finland and Sweden when, until recently, both remained outside of NATO and were therefore somewhat limited in their cooperation with NATO countries – including their neighbors Norway and Denmark – due to their partner status. Despite the current transatlantic crisis, Finland and Sweden's accession to NATO was therefore so important because it enabled a completely new level of regional and European cooperation.
Nordic solidarity in air and land
The Nordic countries have intensified their ties both amongst themselves and with continental European partners and the United Kingdom. Within the framework of NORDEFCO, the Danish, Finnish, Norwegian, and Swedish air forces have developed a joint operational concept (Nordic Air Power Concept) and established a dedicated Nordic division at NATO's new Combined Air Operations Centre in Bodø, northern Norway. The Nordic air forces have an ambitious goal: to be able to conduct comprehensive joint air operations as a single unit. These recent integration steps within the Nordic air forces have a long history: since 2009, Norway, Sweden, and Finland have been conducting weekly joint cross-border exercises in the Northern Hemisphere, the northernmost part of the three countries.
Iceland does not participate in Nordic air cooperation because, as a country with only about 400,000 inhabitants located in the middle of the North Atlantic, it has no armed forces of its own. Nevertheless, Iceland contributes to the new Forward Land Force (FLF) in Finland, a multinational NATO land force. The FLF, currently being established in northern Finland, is a symbol of Nordic solidarity: Sweden is the lead nation, and the other Nordic countries (Denmark and Norway) are contributing troops.
New connections with European partners
At the same time, the FLF in Finland is also a good example of the increased interest on the part of European alliance partners in showing a presence in Northern Europe: In addition to the Nordic countries, France, Italy and Great Britain also contribute to the multinational association.
The Far North is a particularly challenging location for military operations in many respects. The weather conditions are harsh and unfamiliar to most NATO allies: from the cold, snowy, and dark winters to the midnight sun in summer – not to mention the numerous mosquitoes. In a crisis, only those NATO countries with the right equipment for these specific conditions and sufficient operational experience in the region can contribute to the defense of the northern flank. Therefore, the FLF's focus in Finland is on joint exercises to familiarize participating NATO allies with these extreme weather phenomena.
Together with Norway and Lithuania, Germany is also investing in its operational readiness in the Nordic-Baltic region. As part of a strategic defense partnership, Norway and Germany are jointly building submarines designed for operations in the High North, which can be operated by both German and Norwegian crews. The two countries also have other joint defense projects underway, such as in the area of maritime guided missiles. In Lithuania, the permanently stationed German brigade is now officially operational, with full operational capability planned for 2027. Germany is also cooperating with Norway in Lithuania, which is part of the multinational NATO force under German command.
European force gathering in the Arctic and the North Atlantic
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius toured the North Atlantic in the fall and, during his visit to Iceland in October 2025, pledged to increase Germany's presence in the North Atlantic and in Iceland. The trip continued to Ottawa, where Pistorius announced plans for a maritime security partnership with Canada, Norway, and Denmark.
A stronger German presence in the North Atlantic is welcome, as European NATO countries (and Canada) will have to shoulder the expected reduction in the American contribution to collective defense. The British Navy also plays a key role in the defense of both the North Atlantic and the Arctic. Britain is seen as a leading NATO country in the Nordic-Baltic region, not least because of its leading role in the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF), which includes the Nordic and Baltic countries as well as the Netherlands. However, without the commitment of partners such as Germany and France in the region, British resources could be overstretched.
In light of the shift in the balance within the alliance, towards significantly greater responsibility being assumed by European NATO countries, France's renewed interest in the Arctic is certainly welcome. France published an Arctic defense strategy this summer and is in the process of building its Arctic operational capability through regular exercises in the region. Since President Trump threatened Denmark with the annexation of Greenland, France has stood firmly by Denmark's side and has supported its Danish partners in several operations and exercises in and around Greenland.
A new region is emerging
Russia's war of aggression in Ukraine and the NATO accession of Finland and Sweden have forged closer ties between the Nordic and Baltic countries than ever before, triggering a veritable regionalization process. The NB8 group, a coordination format of the five Nordic and three Baltic states, has existed since the 1990s, but in the last three years, thanks to the perceived threat posed by Russia due to geographical proximity and the unwavering solidarity with Ukraine, it has evolved into a coherent regional grouping.
In part, the newly found, strong, unified voice of the NB8 in Europe reflects the leadership difficulties that Germany and France displayed in the early years of Russia's war of aggression. The smaller countries had to join forces and take the initiative to advance European support for Ukraine. Despite a combined population of only about 30 million, these eight smaller countries have done by far the most for Ukraine compared to other European nations, both in terms of their GDP share and in absolute terms.
From a military perspective, the Nordic-Baltic region has also become a reality with the NATO accession of Finland and Sweden. The new allies have closed the gap between northern Norway in the High North and Lithuania in the southern Baltic Sea. The Arctic and the Baltic Sea are now directly connected through Finland and Sweden and can no longer be considered separate defense zones. The increased regional cooperation, as well as the growing interest of larger allies such as Germany and France, testifies to the many changes that have taken place in the region in a short period of time – and to a new dynamic that is relevant for all of Europe.
Photo: © Liisa Valonen (portrait)
