Context:- NATO countries have started military exercises in the Arctic region.
An Overview of the News
- The exercise involves approximately 1,000 allied forces from Norway, the United Kingdom and the United States, along with NATO applicant Sweden.
- Finland, NATO’s newest member, is hosting its first joint training in the Arctic region since joining the Western alliance in April.
- The exercise took place at Rovajärvi in northern Finland, near the Russian border, at one of Europe’s largest artillery training grounds.
Oath to defend Finland
- NATO has pledged to protect its newest member, Finland.
- The decision to join NATO was influenced by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, which raised tensions between Moscow and the West.
Read also:- North Atlantic Treaty Organisation ( NATO)
Participation and Scope of Practice
- About6,500 Finnish soldiers and 1,000 vehicles are participating in the exercise.
- The Arctic Challenge 2023 exercise also includes 150 aircraft from 14 NATO members and partner countries.
- The objective of the exercise is to enhance military cooperation and preparedness in the Arctic region.
- Joint training reinforces NATO’s commitment to collective defence and regional security.
Read also:- Finland became the 31st member of NATO
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
- It is a military alliance between North American and European countries formed in 1949 and headquartered in Brussels, Belgium.
- It was created during the Cold War as a defense pact to prevent Soviet expansion and protect member states from possible aggression.
- The founding members of NATO were the United States, Canada, and ten European countries, including Belgium, Denmark, France, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, and the United Kingdom.
- NATO Secretary General- Jens Stoltenberg
About Finland
- Finland is the 31st member of NATO.
- Prime Minister- Sana Marin
- Capital- Helsinki
- Currency-Euro
Read also:- Polar Vortex
NATO’s Arctic exercise, NATO’s Arctic exercise
