New Vision for Nordic Defense Cooperation: Eight Areas for Vigorous Joint Action

Norsk versjon.

The five Nordic states have written the introduction to a new far-reaching chapter of defense cooperation between them:

They have now launched the ambitious vision for the development of the Nordic Defense Cooperation (NORDEFCO), which was announced to ble underway last summer. 

It sets eight areas of strengthened inter-Nordic efforts. Some of the key words include cooperation on situational awareness and escalation management, military operations, border-crossing logistics, defense materiel and capabilities, as well as total defense, and supply security.

This look toward the future is based on two aspects in particular – an agreed consideration of Russia's behavior in Ukraine and threatening potential, and the fact that the entire Nordic region has finally joined NATO.

“The Nordic countries are united in the assessment that Russia will remain a 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 NATO, our countries have chosen the same path for our security policy,” says the Nordic defense ministers in a joint statement.

Eye on the Arctic and the North Atlantic

"In the Nordic countries, we have a particular responsibility for our joint security in the region, which is also important to NATO. We have a clear ambition for low tension in the region," says the Danish MoD Troels Lund Poulsen (Liberal Party).

As this year's chair of NORDEFCO, Denmark invited to the ministerial meeting at which the new vision was signed.

The meeting took place last week in the Faroese capital, Tórshavn. It was jointly hosted by Denmark and the Faroe Islands – and included Greenlandic participation.

The Faroe Islands and Greenland are countries within the Kingdom of Denmark with far-reaching self-governance. Traditionally, however, they have not had a seat at the ministerial table during discussions on international defense matters. 

Therefore, the choice of meeting location and the extended guest list are significant. The backdrop is the commonwealth's strengthened defense cooperation and a wish to focus on the security situation in the Arctic and the North Atlantic, informs the Danish Ministry of Defense.

"Sadly, the kingdom and our Nordic allies are not just challenged by conventional threats, but also by new hybrid threats, such as cyber-attacks and attacks on critical infrastructure," MoD Poulsen points out and continues:

"We therefore work to protect our joint security – for the benefit of the alliance and not least the inhabitants of the Arctic and the North Atlantic. Thus, it is very valuable that the NORDEFCO meeting includes participants from the Faroe Islands and Greenland."

Seeking active involvement

"Nothing about us without us," is regularly emphasized by the Greenlandic side. At the NORDEFCO meeting, Greenland was represented by the Permanent Secretary of Statehood and Foreign Affairs, Mininnguaq Kleist.

The Faroe Islands also want active involvement in forums where foreign and security policy matters that are relevant for the archipelago are discussed," states Faroese MFA Høgni Hoydahl (Tjóðveldi), the specific co-host of the meeting. 

"In light of a rapidly changing security situation, the importance of Nordic cooperation has become urgently relevant – particularly regarding security and defense policy. Nordic values like unity, thoroughness, and innovation make for good tools to navigate an increasingly complex and unpredictable world," notes Hoydal.

"We are prepared to contribute actively from the Faroese side to maintain peace and security in the region, as well as supporting NATO's deterrence posture," he maintains. 

Future plans

The first point of Vision 2030 is precisely the joint commitment to strengthened deterrence and defense of the Nordic region and the Euro-Atlantic area.

"The Nordic countries are prepared and able to conduct combined joint military operations to manage both present and future challenges together and with NATO allies. Nordic Defense Cooperation complements and contributes to European and transatlantic security and collective defense," the vision reads.

Anchored in shared values and security interests, the Nordic defense cooperation has developed through NORDEFCO, as well as bilateral and trilateral initiatives, the five states point out.

They also state the following, likely with a view to both perceived effects in the present and an imagined future ideal state:

"Closer defense cooperation between the Nordic countries strengthens security and defense, promotes regional security and stability, facilitates crisis management, and strengthens the military capabilities. The Nordic countries continue to enhance cooperation on total defense to improve resilience."

NATO-oriented

By extension, the vision is designed to leave no doubt: The Nordic defense cooperation will be strengthened within an overarching NATO framework – not as a side initiate or alternative to the alliance.

In that regard, it is similar to the framing of EU's security and defense policy, emphasizing that it complements rather than competes with NATO.

"Aligning Nordic defense cooperation with NATO supports and contributes to the collective defense of the Alliance. As NATO members, the Nordic countries are committed to assist each other and other allies," writes the states and continues:

"Furthermore, the Nordic countries will align defense capabilities in accordance with national interests and defense responsibilities in NATO. Nordic defense cooperation will enhance NATO’s posture in Northern Europe and contribute to the security of the Alliance as a whole."

The efforts within NORDEFCO are in line with the alliance's planning and concepts, it is also specified. In addition, the Nordic interaction is seen in the context of other relevant formats and agreements:

"Nordic defense cooperation complements and adds value to the EU, bilateral defense arrangements, and regional cooperation formats, such as the Joint Expeditionary Force."

Upcoming efforts

The aforementioned main lines will be put into practice with joint measures in eight areas by 2030. See the following overview.

Operational military cooperation

"The new vision entails a major change for NORDECO and the cooperation between our countries. The most significant change is that operational cooperation is now also included," says Finland's MoD Antti Häkkänen (National Coalition Party).

The joint planning and execution of military operations have previously been the subject of trilateral memorandums of understanding between Nordic countries – such as Finland, Norway, and Sweden – but is now highlighted as an all-Nordic focus area by the vision.

At the Tórshavn meeting, another essential agreement was reached in this context: In the coming time, the five states' chiefs of defense will continue the work to develop a Nordic defense concept for operational military cooperation – and aim to present this at NORDEFCO's ministerial meeting in Copenhagen, Denmark, in November 2024.

The concept is intended to fully support NATO's operational planning and will play an important role in achieving the goals of the Vision 2030.

"We will strengthen joint regional deterrence and our ability to carry out joint defense operations and those of the alliance. The main focus is on developing interoperability, which means ensuring that we can work as smoothly as possible together and with our allies in all situations," states Häkkänen.

Central facets of the discussions

By extension, the following extracts from the declaration of the meeting are particularly relevant:

• "The ministers emphasized the importance of NATO’s regional plans for the Arctic, North Atlantic, and Nordic region, the significance of the trans-Atlantic strategic lines of communication, and the ambition of maintaining peace and stability in the region."  

• "The Ministers reaffirmed the ambition to increase situational awareness and further strengthen military mobility and cross-border activities in the Nordic region. This includes the development of strategic corridors in line with NATO decisions, with a long-term goal of “Seamless Movement in a Borderless Nordic”. The Nordic counties are committed to the enablement of allied operations in the Nordic region." 

Norway, Sweden, and Finland recently announced a strengthening of their cooperation on border-crossing transport corridors, particularly focusing on military mobility.

• "The ministers also discussed cyber security issues and emphasized the need to tackle threats against critical infrastructure and increasing resilience to withstand the complexity of hybrid threats."

Of historic significance

With the establishment of a new joint vision from a shared allied standpoint – and discussions including the Faroe Islands and Greenland – the meeting in Tórshavn proved historic in many ways.

That is noted by Thórdís Kolbrún Reykfjörd Gylfadóttir (Independence Party), Iceland's MFA with defense policy responsibility. 

"We have set a new future strategy for Nordic defense cooperation under completely changed security conditions – and now with all the Nordics within the framework of the North Atlantic Treaty," she remarks and continues:

"The cooperation between the countries has strengthened rapidly in the past years with active participation from Iceland. Good and close cooperation between the Nordics increases the security of the citizens while also strengthening the countries' contribution to the joint defense of the alliance."

Iceland does not have its own armed forces, with the exception of a paramilitary coast guard. However, the country operates an air defense and surveillance system, which is part of the NATO integrated air defense system. Allies, such as Norway in recent years, conduct the NATO-led mission on periodic fighter preparedness and surveillance of Icelandic airspace, Iceland Air Policing (IAP). 

In later years, allied nations, particularly the US, have strengthened their military presence in Iceland. American forces use Keflavìk Air Station for operations employing strategic bombers and maritime surveillance aircraft, as well as Icelandic waters in connection with submarine operations.

Nordic union with Ukraine

Norway's MoD Bjørn Arild Gram (Centre) also characterizes the NORDEFCO meeting as a historic milestone, although not being physically present on the Faroe Islands. The background for this is not informed by his ministry.

"In the Nordic region, we share history and geography, as well as fundamental values and security interests. Now, we are all part of the same alliance. Our contribution to NATO's deterrence and defense – through our geography, capacities, and forces – is significant," he maintains.

Russia's continued warfare against Ukraine and Nordic contributions to the Ukrainian defense was also a topic of discussion at the meeting. The ministers reiterated their solid and unwavering support for Ukraine, according to the declaration.

"The Ukrainian people have demonstrated enormous resilience, courage, and skill in the face of Russian aggression. They fight for us all – for freedom, self-determination, and democracy. Therefore, it is our duty to continue to support Ukraine with military equipment, training, and humanitarian and financial support as long as necessary," says Gram.