The Finnish Army Command is already located in Mikkeli, which Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen (NCP) says offers the best possible synergy in coordinating between Finland and Nato.
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Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen (NCP), right, spoke alongside Finnish Army Commander Lieutenant General Pasi Välimäki, left, at a press conference on Friday. Image: Emmi Korhonen / Lehtikuva
A Nato Multi Corps Land Component Command (MCLCC) will be established in Mikkeli, Finland’s Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen (NCP) announced at a press conference today.
The new headquarters will be under the authority of Nato’s Joint Force Command (JFC) in Norfolk, Virginia.
“Establishing the new MCLCC in Finland is an important step towards making the Nato deterrence and defence posture even stronger,” Häkkänen said in a press release, adding that the location also hosts the Finnish Army Command, providing synergy for Finnish and Nato personnel in defence planning.
“By joining these two locations, we get the best possible synergy between coordinating our national defence and coordinating the Nato defence capabilities.”
Finland will have a leading role in the new headquarters, with the Commander of the Finnish Army serving as the commander of the new headquarters, Häkkänen said.
Other countries involved in the new headquarters will be announced later.
Lapland troops announced later
Last week, Yle sources revealed that Mikkeli was expected to be announced while either Rovaniemi or Sodankylä in Finnish Lapland would host a multinational forward land force (FLF). Earlier this month, Sweden and Finland jointly announced that Stockholm would lead a Nato FLF in Finland.
Häkkänen said on Friday that the location of FLF troops to be stationed in Lapland will be announced later.
The Finnish Army Command will continue to be responsible for Finland’s own national defence as it has before.
How the MCLCC would operate during crises was not specified by Finnish Army Commander Lieutenant General Pasi Välimäki.
“It’s very important that we plan both our training activities and emergency plans under one roof during peacetime,” Välimäki said.
Enhancing Nato’s defence
The creation of the new Nato command in Finland is part of a broader effort to strengthen Nato’s deterrence and defence posture across Europe. Häkkänen underlined that Finland’s extensive knowledge of northern conditions made it a natural choice for hosting the command.
“Nato recognises Finland’s expertise and trusts our ability to contribute to the defence of the northern region,” he said.
The move followed political backing from Nato defence ministers in June and endorsement at the Nato summit in July, with specific plans to be finalised in 2025 once military preparations progress further.
Staffing and budget
The command will initially consist of a few dozen personnel, with staff from several Nato member countries, Defence Minister Häkkänen said during a press briefing on Friday.
The Finnish government’s budget for next year includes sufficient funding for establishing the Nato headquarters, with 8.5 million euros allocated for 2024. Similar annual amounts will be required going forward. Part of the costs will be reimbursed through Nato’s common budget, Häkkänen noted.
Preparations for the construction and organisation of the command are now underway, with the details of the plan shifting to military authorities. Final decisions on the command will be made at a Nato defence ministers’ meeting in 2025.
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Publish date : 2024-09-27 04:37:00
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