A new NATO command center will be located in Rovaniemi, Finland, to strengthen defense in the Arctic region, with the participation of several allied countries.

Finland will host a multinational command center of NATO's Advanced Ground Forces (FLF) in Rovaniemi, announced by the Minister of Defense, Antti Hakkanen. This center, with a permanent mandate, will contribute to strengthening NATO's deterrence and defense capabilities in the High North and in the Arctic region, considering that Finland joined the Alliance in April 2023.

The center will include 'several dozen' military personnel from various allied countries and will enhance defensive training and interoperability of the troops. Sweden will command the FLF, and other Nordic countries, such as Denmark, Norway, Iceland, as well as the United Kingdom and France, will participate in joint military activities. In the event of a deterioration of the security situation, the presence of allied troops could be expanded to a brigade of 3,000-5,000 soldiers. Finland also has a NATO ground sub-command in Mikkeli, near the border with Russia.