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

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.