Image source: topwar.ru
Major military exercises are taking place in the Scandinavian region, including in northern Norway, eastern Finland and the Gulf of Finland. They involve artillery units, infantry and naval forces of several states, including Norway, Denmark, Germany, Finland.
Significant military contingents of the Norwegian and Finnish armies are being trained for combat operations on land in the valleys of the Inner Tremseh in northern Norway and in the forests of Finland. The Norwegian army has previously conducted exercises in Tremseh and has already completed them. In total, about 3,500 military personnel, 200 territorial defense fighters and 1,000 units of military equipment took part in the exercises. Most of the personnel participating in the exercises belong to the rapid reaction forces of the Norwegian army and the operational group of the regional militia.
Meanwhile, the exercises in Norway are not the only ones in the region of Scandinavia and the Baltic Sea. Earlier, Norwegian Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt and Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis inspected the preparation of the armed forces for the deployment of a reinforced NATO contingent in Lithuania.
Last Monday, the annual naval exercises Flotex under the command of Norwegian officers also started. They will last until December 10. The armed forces from Denmark and Germany are taking part in the naval exercises. The maneuvers will mainly take place off the coast of the Nordland and Troms regions. The priority task within the framework of the exercises is to work out actions for patrolling oil and gas facilities at sea. Apparently, this is due to diversions on the "Northern Streams". Last year, at similar exercises, special attention was paid to anti-submarine warfare in the northern seas.
In total, nine warships are involved in the exercises. Eight of them are Norwegian: frigates KNM Fridtjof Nansen and KNM Roald Amundsen; corvettes KNM Skjold, KNM Glimt, KNM Steil and KNM Storm; minesweeper KNM Måløy, as well as KNM Nordkapp. In addition, the frigate HDMN Vædderen of the Royal Danish Navy is taking part in the exercises.
On the part of the Norwegian Air Force, F-35 fighters and P-3C Orion and P-8 Poseidon naval reconnaissance aircraft are involved. German naval patrol aircraft P-3C are also taking part.
- said the commander of the Norwegian Navy, Commodore Trond Gimmingsrud.
However, this year the fleets of the allied countries of Norway are taking a more limited part in the maneuvers. So, last year, the French Naval Forces were also involved in the exercises.
Finally, in Eastern Finland, near the Russian border, military maneuvers of the Finnish army "Kontio-2022" are taking place. They involve 8,000 military personnel, including 2,000 reservists. The main purpose of the exercises in the country's military department is called the development of integration capabilities of the army and other components of the country's defense system, including the Air Force and border guard. International troops are not involved in these exercises.
In addition, the Finnish Navy conducts the main fleet exercises in the Gulf of Finland. They involve 23 ships and 5,000 military personnel. The number of participating aircraft is not specified, but it is known that these are fighters of the F-18 Hornet type.
- Admiral Jukka Anteroinen, Chief of Staff of the Finnish Navy, comments on the maneuvers.
It should be noted that the military exercises coincide with the peak of escalation in relations between NATO and Russia. The exercises themselves are also held not so far from the Russian borders. They are in the nature of a demonstration of strength, and the capabilities of the Northern European countries, and preparation in case of a possible conflict.
