Viking 18 is based on a Comprehensive Approach, focusing on co-operation between relevant actors in Peace Operations and International Crisis Management, with emphasis on realism and current operational concepts.
Viking 18 is the world’s most large-sized exercise of its kind.
The aim of Viking 18 is to train and educate participants - civilian, military and police - to meet the challenges of current and future multidimensional crisis response and peace operations. This includes planning and conducting a UN mandated Chapter VII peace operation in an unstable environment, based on a comprehensive approach and focusing on co-operation and co-ordination between all relevant actors.
Exercise Objectives
- Understand and apply a comprehensive approach to international peaceoperations, including the role of the host nation.
- Promote mutual understanding, confidence, co-operation and interoperability among all contributing and affected forces, organisations, offices and personnel.
- Understand and apply mission command/management, staff roles and functions, procedures and structures and co-ordinated planning processes.
- Understand and apply current operational concepts reflecting present and future challenges in international peace operations.
The VIKING Series
- Initiated at NATO’s 50th Anniversary Summit in 1999 - a Swedish / U.S. Initiative.
- Developed and implemented in ‘the Spirit of NATO’s Partnership for Peace’.
- Conducted in 1999, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2008, 2011, 2014 and planned for 2018.
- A comprehensive and unique collective training opportunity for military, civilian and police.
- The most extensive multifunctional exercise of its kind.
- Facilitates a wider “network” building – more than 50 countries.
- Planning of Viking 18 started in Sep 2015 and the exercise will take place the 16 -26 April 2018.