2 European countries on the frontline with Russia are starting to merge their military operations
Two European countries near Russia, including one that borders Russia, are combining parts of their military forces.
The Swedish government
announced on October 29 that it will create a joint naval battle group with the Finnish Defense Forces.
Finland borders Russia to its northeast, while Sweden has seen recent Russian military violations of its territory — most notably
by a possible Russian submarine in October 2014.
The new battle group, known as the Swedish Finnish Naval Task Force (SFNTG), is envisioned as a cost-effective way for the two nations to conduct joint crisis-response operations in the Arctic and the surrounding regions.
According to Defense News, the SFNTG will be staffed by troops trained to operate within the region's climatic extremes. The task force will "conduct sea surveillance, exercises and include combined units," Defense News reports. "It would share infrastructure and be able to transfer operational control of units between the Swedish and Finnish navies."
Finewire also
notes that the SFNTG will be interoperable with NATO units and the militaries of NATO countries — which is notable as both Sweden and Finland have eschewed NATO membership in order to keep their policies of neutrality intact.
Sweden is also in talks with Finland and Denmark to be able to base naval units in the countries' homeports during peacetime.
The formation of the SFNTG comes amid a series of security shifts among the five Nordic countries — Iceland, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Finland. In early April, the five countries announced plans to expand their defense ties.
The move toward further defense cooperation shows how concerned these countries have become about the regional security environment. Iceland, Denmark, and Norway are already full NATO members. Sweden and Finland had steered away from the organization out of concerns over infuriating Russia — but polls show that people in both countries
thinking about the benefits of joining the alliance.
The formation of closer Nordic defense ties, in addition to Sweden and Finland's increasing tilt toward NATO, demonstrate that Scandinavia is taking the threat of a resurgent Russia very seriously.
"Russia's actions are the biggest challenge to the European security," the defense ministers from the Nordic nations
said in a joint declaration in April. "Russia's propaganda and political maneuvering are contributing to sowing discord between nations, and inside organizations like NATO and the EU.
"There is increasing military and intelligence activity in the Baltics and in our northern areas," the statement said. "The Russian military is challenging us along our borders and there have been several border infringements in the Baltics."
...
Swedish and Finnish naval assets.
Visby class corvette
Göteborg class corvette
Gotland class submarine
Hamina class corvette
Hämeenmaa class minelayer
FINNISH HORNETS: “TO BE REPLACED BY GRIPEN OR RAFALE”
F-35's still in the running, Finnish defense officials recently (on 10/28/15) visited LM in Fort Worth, Texas.
Finnish Air Force officials visited Lockheed Martin's [LMT] F-35 facility here Wednesday, ostensibly to evaluate future fighter jet procurement options as part of its HX program.
A pair of signs welcoming Finnish Air Force Commander Major General Kim Jäämeri were spotted on video boards at the entrance to the facility. A handful of Finnish Air Force airmen were seen inside the administrative portion of the sprawling complex that assembles and puts the finishing touches on F-35 aircraft before they are deployed to base locations and partner nations.
Finnish Air Force Officials Visit F-35 Facility | Defense Daily Network
As Finland and Sweden further their integration, the Gripen makes sense, but I wouldn't count the F-35 out just yet either. Still very expensive, but neither the Gripen, Rafale or Super Hornet are cheap. All are expensive options.
. Our air-defense weapons consist of 60 F-16s, the F-35 is likely to replace them.
