New NATO land command to bolster Northern Europe's defense
On Friday, the head of Finland's defence ministry announced that a new NATO land command would be established at the General Staff of the Finnish Armed Forces in Mikkeli. According to Hakkinen, this decision aims to strengthen the defence of Finland and the entire Northern European region.
During a press conference in Helsinki, Finnish Defense Minister Antti Hakkinen noted that "the establishment of the new command is an unequivocal signal to Russia." The minister explained that this decision is meant to show that Finland is a full-fledged member of NATO and that the Alliance's role in the country's defence is solid. He also added that Finland strengthens its defence forces each year.
Hakkinen revealed that several dozen officers from various NATO member states will staff the new unit in Mikkeli. He emphasized that the command's location in Mikkeli will enable the Alliance to conduct exercises and land operations more effectively in the Northern European region.
The commander of the Finnish Ground Forces, Gen. Pasi Valimäki, informed us that the NATO staff in Mikkeli will begin their work in 2025. Finland, which joined NATO in the spring of 2023, also plans to create a base for advanced Alliance units, known as Forward Land Forces, likely in the Lapland region. However, the details of these plans have not yet been disclosed.
The new unit will be established 140 kilometres from Russia
During a meeting in Stockholm in mid-September, Finnish Defense Minister Antti Hakkinen and Swedish Minister Pal Jonson confirmed that Sweden would play a key role in the formation of operating on Finnish territory.
The city of Mikkeli, inhabited by about 60,000 people, has a rich history related to Finland's defence. During World War I and II, as well as during the Winter War (1939-1940) and the Continuation War (1941-1944), it was the headquarters of the Finnish army.
Mikkeli, located west of Finland's largest lake, Saimaa, is about 140 kilometres from the border with Russia in Imatra. In a straight line, it is less than 100 kilometres from the Russian border.
