From one exercise to the next

Swedish-Finnish cooperation is well established, particularly on the maritime side. For several years, we have shared information about ship movements in our immediate area, something that is of real benefit every day. Another building block in the cooperation is the formation of the Swedish-Finnish Naval Task Group (SFNTG). During Exercise Northern Coasts, which has just finished, Sweden and Finland worked closely together.

– From HMS Carlskrona we have commanded a task group made up of Swedish and Finnish warships, mine clearance vessels and support vessels, explains Bengt Lundgren, Commander SFNTG.

From crisis to war

There are no problems switching from one exercise to another because for some days they have been involved in both exercises simultaneously. Mikko Villikari is the Chief of Staff:
– We follow NATO procedures and use English as our working language. The main difference between the two exercises is our rules of engagement. Northern Coasts was a crisis management exercise in an area of unrest, whereas Aurora 17 involves more warlike conditions where Sweden is under attack.

Mikko Villikari and Bengt Lundgren are two of the commanders in the SFNTG. Photo: Kristina Swaan/Swedish Armed Forces

The way ahead

The participation of the SFNTG HQ in Aurora 17 is important and will further develop cooperation between the two countries. However, the work does not end there. In the future there are plans for combined maritime surveillance operations, meaning cooperation on an everyday basis. In the long term, the force will reach full operational capability in 2023. However, the next item on the agenda is Exercise Aurora 17, where Sweden must be defended. It is happening here and now, and in cooperation with Finland. A single nation’s armed forces cannot do everything, but together we reinforce and complement each other.