Today marks the start of the Nordic Response 24 national military exercise, an integral part of NATO’s record-breaking Steadfast Defender exercise, which will stretch across Germany, Poland and the Baltic Sea in the winter of 2024. The exercise can also be seen against the backdrop of NATO’s eastward expansion towards the Russian border.
Nordic Response 2024 is a Norwegian-led military exercise involving Norway, Sweden, Finland and Denmark. It’s stated goal is to practice the defense of the Nordic region and the ability to receive international reinforcements within the NATO framework. Approximately 20,000 troops from 14 nations are participating, including approximately 4,500 Swedish soldiers, officers and civilian personnel.
Approximately 3,000 Swedish participants make up the ground forces, which are co-organized with a Finnish Army division. The Swedish Air Force contributes about 1400 participants from all air wings, with four fighter squadrons, one helicopter squadron, and transport and special aircraft. From the Swedish Navy, a small unit from the Amphibious Regiment and clearance divers are participating.
#NATO begins exercises in #Finland near the borders of #Russia, – AP
▪️According to them, the Nordic Response 2024 maneuvers will take place from March 4 to 15, and more than 20K military personnel will take part in them, of which 4,000 are Finnish. pic.twitter.com/O3M9EN1DFu
— Arthur Morgan (@ArthurM40330824) March 4, 2024
Extensive military presence
Nordic Response 2024 is part of NATO’s ongoing Steadfast Defender exercise, which involves an extensive military presence in northern Norway throughout the winter. The exercise stretches from Germany and Poland to the Baltic Sea and is closely integrated with the UK-led Joint Warrior naval exercise between Scotland, Norway and Iceland.
The bulk of Nordic Response will take place in the northern Nordic region from March 3-14, 2024, with activities in areas such as Bjerkvik, inner Troms, Alta and central Finnmark in Norway. The purpose of the exercise is “to practice the defense of the Nordic region together with Norway, Finland and Denmark and to receive reinforcements from international forces within the NATO framework”.
