A new era for Nordic defence cooperation

By Troels Lund Poulsen, Minister of Defence of Denmark, Antti Häkkänen, Minister of Defence of Finland, Thórdís Kolbrún Reykfjörd Gylfadóttir, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Iceland, Bjørn Arild Gram, Minister of Defence of Norway, Pål Jonson, Minister for Defence of Sweden.

As the world faces severe challenges to security and the international order is being tested, the Nordic countries are responding to this deteriorating security environment in our vicinity and beyond. This is done by enhancing defence cooperation through ambitious and comprehensive undertakings, aiming to improve the combined Nordic contribution to Allied security in the years to come. 

The Nordic region, united by our common history and geography, share fundamental values and security interests. Our defence cooperation has developed during decades, enabling the establishment of the Nordic Defence Cooperation (NORDEFCO) in 2009. Since then, we have seen an array of challenges to our common security, demonstrated most acutely by Russia’s illegal war of aggression on Ukraine. More than two years have passed since Russia’s brutal full-scale invasion of Ukraine and over ten years have passed since Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea. Faced with Russian atrocities, the people of Ukraine have shown unwavering resilience, courage and skill. In doing so, they are fighting for all of us – for freedom, for right to self-determination and for democracy. Therefore, it is our duty to continue supporting Ukraine, with military equipment, training, humanitarian and financial support – for as long as it takes.

The Nordic countries are united in our assessment that Russia is likely to remain the most significant and direct threat to European and global security for the foreseeable future. We are equally united in the understanding of the need for collective actions to counter this threat. For the first time in modern history, with the accession of Finland and Sweden to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, our countries have chosen the same path for our security and defence policy.

The Nordic countries are committed to contributing to NATO’s collective security, including by investing a minimum of 2% of our GDP in defence. We share a unique knowledge of the North Atlantic, the Arctic and the Baltic Sea, and share a land border of nearly 1500 kilometres with Russia. Together, we operate over 250 fighter aircraft and employ over 350 000 soldiers. Together, we will be able to provide the necessary prerequisites for the reception, staging and onward movement of allied troops to and through our countries. Together, our experience in and further strengthening of our total defence provides valuable contributions to resilience and preparedness– as does the Nordic cutting edge military industrial capacity. As Allies, we are prepared to defend each corner of our region.

The transatlantic link is crucial for security across the Euro Atlantic area. Therefore, the Nordic countries’ bilateral defence cooperation agreements with the United States of America provide a solid foundation for enhanced Nordic-US cooperation, further improving our contribution to security and burden sharing.

The Nordic countries are prepared to manage both present and future challenges together and with other allies, harnessing Nordic cooperation for improved Allied security. We view the High North and the Baltic Sea region as one area of operation, the protection of which permeates our collaboration.

With all of the above in mind, looking towards 2030, we agree to enhance the Nordic defence cooperation in the following areas:

• Strategic dialogue and consultations on current issues and the security situation, including cooperation on situational awareness and escalation management.
• Ability to conduct, and command, combined joint operations, through common operations planning, complementary to national and allied planning.
• Host Nation Support and logistical support to enable common operations and facilitate allied military support and reinforcement.
• Military mobility to, between and through the Nordic countries by ensuring minimal restrictions of movement.
• Capabilities, based on strategic and operational requirements, in alignment with NATO processes, and opportunities in relation to EU tools and initiatives.
• Defence materiel cooperation for increased interchangeability, including joint acquisitions, based on capability development and requirements, in alignment with NATO processes, NORDEFCO operational needs, and opportunities in relation to EU tools and initiatives.
• Military security of supply for improved resilience e.g. by strengthening the Nordic defence industrial base.
• Total defence to secure adequate support from all sectors of society to the defence sector in all threat scenarios and situations.
• Our joint contribution to NATO’s deterrence and defence – through our geography, capabilities and forces – is significant. Complementing Allied planning and concepts, Nordic cooperation will enhance NATO’s posture in Northern Europe and enable a strong regional contribution to the security of the Alliance as a whole.