Finnish aircraft are conducting military exercises with NATO members to further enhance the Finnish NATO-cooperation. Meanwhile Sweden announced that it will be increasing its defence budget for the next four years as the country gets more concerned about Russian intensions. Although these two events are unrelated they are a clear indicator that the security of the Baltic Region is also a concern for Scandinavian countries.
Sweden’s defence budget
After several years of a decreasing its defence budget, Sweden finally turns around. The country will increase its defence budget by 10.2 billion Kronor (€ 1.09 billion, $ 1.18 billion) for the period from 2016 to 2020. This increase in the defence budgets is higher than the original 6.2 billion Kronor that was originally planned.
The higher increase came after negotiations between the ruling social democrats and the opposition made up by conservative moderates, the centre party and the Christian democrats. This signals that Swedish politicians, no matter the political party, are concerned about their military capabilities and national defence.
"Sweden is reacting to the security in the world, Sweden is a guarantor for peace and stability in northern Europe and the defence if Sweden's terroitory is in focus" - Defence Minister Peter Hultqvist.
Even with the 10.2 billion Kronor the doubt remains if the increase in the defence budget is high enough. The increase is 8 billion Kronor less then what was requested by the military. The increase in the defence budget nevertheless will serve Sweden well. Most of the new budget will be used to modernize ships in order to perform anti-submarine warfare better. At the same time troops will once again be stationed at the island of Gotland.
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| Visby class - the backbone of the Swedish Navy |
It is clear that the increase in the defence budget is aimed against Russia. In October 2014 there were several reports of an alleged Russian submarine in Swedish territorial waters. The craft was never found by the Swedish navy who spend several days hunting for the mysterious intruder. At the same time Sweden once again recognizes the importance of the island of Gotland as the island is the strategic asset in the Baltic Sea.
Finland training with NATO
Six Finnish F/A-18 Hornet aircraft are conducting exercises in the Netherlands. The multi-national exercise, hosted by NATO, is held under the auspices of the NATO partnership for peace program. More than 50 aircraft from 10 different nations are taking part in this exercise. Finland is however the only non-NATO country that participates this year.
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| A Finnish F/A-18 Hornet |
Even though Finland is not a NATO-member and values its neutrality, the country is concerned over a resurgent Russia. Even with a low public opinion for actually joining NATO, the Finnish government is holding close military ties with the alliance. Earlier on the country decided that the Finnish armed forces should switch to NATO standards.
At the political level the question is already been asked if Finland should join the NATO alliance but with low public support it would be difficult to decide. Finland does however look at NATO to guaranty the Finnish independence in the case of Russian aggression. Practising together with NATO sends a strong signal to Russia as not to intimidate Finland. At the same time Finland is getting experience of cooperating with NATO.
Next week Finland will participate to NATO’s BRTE-20 training exercise over the Baltic States. Two Finnish F/A-18 Hornets will participate in this exercise. Although these planes will operate from their airbases in Finland, they will conduct landings at the Ämari airbase in Estonia, the same airbase used by NATO to execute its Baltic Air Policing (BAP) mission.
