The military level of NORDEFCO is divided into five Cooperation Areas (COPAs) subordinate to the Military Coordination Committee (MCC).

The COPAs are manned with senior representatives, typically colonels or navy captains, from each of the four countries on the military level. These representatives hold relevant national decision making authority and appropriate mandate in order to fulfil the tasks given to the specific area.

The main task of the COPAs is to coordinate between the nations within their area. The COPAs can decide to start working groups for specific activities and the working groups will report back their results and recommendations on how to achieve positive effects within the activity.

The recommendations from the COPAs form the basis for the agreements that are made in the Military Coordination Committee and the Policy Steering Committee.

Read more about the five Cooperation Areas: