Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

UK takes part in joint military exercises in Finland amid Russia threat

The MoD says the training is crucial to ensuring that Nato forces can work together effectively on operations

Sravasti Dasgupta
Saturday 30 July 2022 09:36 EDT
Comments
(Related) Finland, Sweden begin Nato membership process

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Around 150 British army and Royal Air Force (RAF) personnel have been deployed to Finland alongside US and Finnish armed forces for a training exercise, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said on Saturday.

Named “Exercise Vigilant Fox”, the training operation includes more than 750 troops from the three countries, who gathered this week in Niinisalo, western Finland, to participate in the four-day “high readiness” exercise.

Minister for the armed forces James Heappey said that the exercise “has demonstrated the strength and interoperability of our armed forces with our US and Finnish allies, and reaffirms our commitment to the defence and security of the Baltic Sea region”.

The exercise comes two weeks after RAF fighter aircraft were deployed to Finland and Sweden for joint training.

Earlier, Nato signed an accession protocol for Finland to join the military alliance, beginning the process for it to attain membership.

British troops based in Estonia as part of Project Unified Stance swooped into Finland in RAF Chinook helicopters. The exercise also included soldiers, armoured fighting vehicles and helicopters from the US 3rd Armoured Brigade combat team (known as the Iron Brigade).

“Our soldiers, sailors and aviators have received a warm welcome in Finland over the last few months. Exercise Vigilant Fox is the latest activity in an ongoing series of events across the domains,” said Wing Commander Stephen Boyle, defence attache with the British embassy in Finland.

“As Finland moves towards full Nato membership, we will continue to seek opportunities like this to show solidarity with Finland, learn from each other, and improve our ability to operate together.”

Finland and Sweden applied to join Nato after Russia invaded Ukraine in February this year.

Russia has strongly opposed the two countries joining the alliance and has also issued threats in relation to their plans to do so.

Finland and Russia share a 1,340km border.

According to the MoD, the exercises in Finland are aimed at improving integration between air and land forces, as well as interoperability between partner nations. It said the training is crucial for ensuring that Nato forces can work together effectively on operations and in war.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in