NATO Launches Arctic exercise

Tags: Defence International News

NATO countries have started military exercises in the Arctic region.

An Overview of the News

• The exercise involves approximately 1,000 allied forces from Norway, the United Kingdom and the United States, along with NATO applicant Sweden.

• Finland, NATO's newest member, is hosting its first joint training in the Arctic region since joining the Western alliance in April.

• The exercise took place at Rovajärvi in northern Finland, near the Russian border, at one of Europe's largest artillery training grounds.

Oath to defend Finland:

• NATO has pledged to protect its newest member, Finland.

• The decision to join NATO was influenced by Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, which raised tensions between Moscow and the West.

Participation and Scope of Practice:

• About 6,500 Finnish soldiers and 1,000 vehicles are participating in the exercise.

• The Arctic Challenge 2023 exercise also includes 150 aircraft from 14 NATO members and partner countries.

• The objective of the exercise is to enhance military cooperation and preparedness in the Arctic region.

• Joint training reinforces NATO's commitment to collective defence and regional security.

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO):

• It is a military alliance between North American and European countries formed in 1949 and headquartered in Brussels, Belgium.

• It was created during the Cold War as a defense pact to prevent Soviet expansion and protect member states from possible aggression.

• The founding members of NATO were the United States, Canada, and ten European countries, including Belgium, Denmark, France, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, and the United Kingdom.

• NATO Secretary General- Jens Stoltenberg

About Finland

• Finland is the 31st member of NATO.

• Prime Minister- Sana Marin

• Capital- Helsinki

• Currency- Euro