Nordic Defence Cooperation Received Strong Support from the Member Countries. The Nordic Chiefs of Defence gathered on the Santahamina Military Island for the annual NORDEFCO-commanders’ meeting, held on 7 and 8March. The meeting was hosted by the Commander of the Finnish Defence Forces, General Jarmo Lindberg and its theme focused on the ongoing Nordic defence cooperation projects and their further guidance as well as meeting the Nordic network participants.

The joint Nordic cooperation projects, such as the Nordic Combat Uniform (NCU), were a central topic in the discussions. Despite challenges the Nordic Chiefs of Defence voiced their strong support for it; the NCU is a notable project for Nordic cooperation which, when successful, would bring considerable economic and

logistics benefits for the participating countries. The member countries were thus encouraged to continue the work with the project in the line organizations and actively seek solutions to the challenges.

Additionally, the agenda included topics on developing the cooperation between the Nordic defence industries and joint projects within military education, to name but a few. Opportunities in different virtual learning environments, joint Nordic training programs as well as developing centres of excellence are being researched in the human resources and training cooperation areas. The central capability projects were also analysed and their development is progressing.

In his closing remarks General Lindberg noted that the NORDEFCO-network has achieved many of its goals. In the meeting the Nordic Chiefs of Defence voiced their strong support for Nordic defence cooperation. Defence cooperation between the Nordic countries was seen as a central factor in answering the countries’ resource needs and developing national defence capabilities. The changed security situation in the Baltic region strengthens NORDEFCO’s role even further.

On the second meeting day, led by the Military Coordination Committee, the participants focused on deeper analysis of the cooperation areas’ results and the need for developing the work further. The Military Coordination Committee is chaired by the Finnish Defence Forces Deputy Chief of Staff, Strategy, Lieutenant General Timo Kivinen.