NATO Arctic military exercise Cold Response 26 has begun across northern Finland, Norway and Sweden as the alliance strengthens defence in the region and expands its command presence in Finland. The exercise, led by Norway, brings together around 25,000 soldiers from 14 countries for nearly two weeks of training in extreme winter conditions across the Nordic region.
In Finland, operations focus on the Rovajärvi training area in Lapland. Troops and equipment will move across large areas of northern Finland from 9 to 20 March. The Finnish Defence Forces report that approximately 7,500 soldiers will participate in Finland. About 3,500 of these are Finnish personnel, including nearly 2,000 reservists. The remainder comes from allied countries including Sweden, the United States, France, Italy and the United Kingdom.
Cold Response 26 is a critical part of NATO’s effort to strengthen defence in its northern regions and improve the alliance’s ability to operate together under harsh Arctic conditions. The exercise also forms part of NATO’s broader Arctic Sentry program, designed to expand presence in the north following changes in the regional security environment.
Training focuses on joint operations, coordination between national forces and the logistics necessary to deploy allied troops quickly to remote areas. Finnish authorities describe the exercise as an important test of the country’s capacity to host and support international forces on its territory.
The multinational force in Finland will operate under NATO’s Multi-Corps Land Component Command North-West Europe. Finnish units will train alongside allied troops in ground operations at Rovajärvi, one of Europe’s largest training areas. Sweden will contribute the largest foreign contingent in Finland, providing a division headquarters and roughly 2,000 soldiers.
The Finnish Air Force will support operations with F/A-18 Hornet fighter jets from the Lapland and Karelia air wings. Aircraft will operate across airspace covering northern Finland, Sweden and Norway, with activity concentrated in the region between Rovaniemi, Sodankylä, Utsjoki and Kilpisjärvi.
Large troop movements are expected to impact traffic, especially between 9 and 11 March and again between 19 and 21 March, as forces travel to and from training areas. Authorities have advised drivers to allow extra travel time and remain cautious near military convoys.
Cold Response 26 highlights NATO’s growing focus on Arctic security and the need for allied forces to maintain readiness in extreme conditions. The exercise signals broader strategic adjustments in northern Europe, reflecting rising geopolitical tensions and the importance of rapid coordination between allied militaries. The scale and complexity of the operation underline the alliance’s commitment to defend northern Europe while strengthening interoperability among participating countries.
