05:01 06-06-2026

NATO Forward Forces HQ to Open in Finland’s Rovaniemi

www.prеsidеnt.gоv.uа

NATO’s multinational forward land forces HQ opens in Rovaniemi, Finland, with Sweden leading the FLF structure on the alliance’s northern flank.

A multinational NATO forward land forces headquarters will begin operating in Rovaniemi, Finland, on June 6, the Finnish Defence Ministry said.

The decision to place the structure in Lapland had earlier been backed by defence ministers from NATO member states. The unit is part of NATO’s Forward Land Forces, or FLF, within the alliance’s Allied Land Forces. Sweden has been assigned the leading role. Finland’s Defence Ministry previously said the United Kingdom, France, Denmark, Norway, Iceland and Italy would also take part in forming the NATO forces. The headquarters itself will be based in Rovaniemi.

According to the Finnish ministry, FLF Finland will officially start work on Saturday, June 6, 2026. The headquarters will have a multinational format.

The new structure in Rovaniemi, along with the Swedish battalion battle group that will fall under its command, will be placed directly under the Supreme Allied Commander Europe, Alexus Grynkewich. The Swedish group is stationed at a military base in Boden, northern Sweden.

The Swedish unit, numbering about 600 personnel, will form the core of FLF. Finland’s Defence Ministry said the total strength of NATO’s forward land forces in the country is later expected to grow to brigade level.

Finnish Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen said the authorities had announced at the start of the government’s work that they intended to establish NATO forward land forces in the country. He said the process had moved quickly and that the forces would now be officially formed. He described the creation of FLF Finland as an important step in strengthening Finland’s defence and NATO’s northern flank.

Russia has repeatedly pointed in recent years to what it sees as unprecedented NATO activity near its western borders. The alliance explains its expanded initiatives as a measure to deter Russian aggression. Moscow has expressed concern over the growing NATO military presence in Europe. The Kremlin has said Russia does not threaten anyone, but will not ignore actions that could endanger its interests.