Defence Forces to join 60 Int´l training, exercise events in 2021

The Finnish Defence Forces will participate in 60 international training and exercise events in 2021 at a cost of EUR four million.

The number of the international training and exercise events was 71 in 2020 and the cost was EUR 7.9 million, said an official press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on Friday.

Minister of Defence Antti Kaikkonen took the decision on Finland's participation in international training and exercises in 2021.

Next year, the most important exercises will be part of Nordic cooperation and bilateral and multilateral cooperation with Sweden and the United States.

Training and exercises related to them will be organised during the spring and early summer in Sweden, Norway and Finland.

International training and exercises have become increasingly important in the development of the skills and competences required in the tasks of the Finnish Defence Forces, said the press release, adding that closer defence cooperation has also influenced the goals and scenarios of international training and exercises, as well as the scope of the exercises.

The participation of the Finnish Defence Forces in international training and exercises in 2021 reflects, for its part, intensified defence cooperation and continues the long-term participation in international training and exercise cooperation.

The evolving cooperation with Sweden, the United States and NATO will naturally influence the content of participation in international training and exercises.

The Finnish Defence Forces focus on demanding international exercises and exercises in which the provision and reception of military assistance are practiced, the press release added.