On 4 November, the largest NATO artillery exercise in Europe, Lightning Strike 24, will start in Finland. This was reported by the Finnish TV channel Yle.
The exercise is part of the large-scale manoeuvres Dynamic Front 25, which are taking place simultaneously in five European countries: Finland, Estonia, Germany, Romania and Poland.
The Finnish part of the exercise, which will run in the Rovajärvi and Rovaniemi regions until 28 November, involves around 3,600 troops, including approximately 1,250 soldiers from international units that have arrived to support from other countries.
The main objective of the exercise is to demonstrate the Alliance’s defence capabilities in Northern Europe, as well as to practice operational command and control and coordination with NATO’s Allied Rapid Reaction Corps.
‘The scale of the exercise shows that we can get support from Allies very quickly, as well as from Allied Command, if necessary. This is a good example of how our own field artillery, combined with Allied forces and capabilities, forms a strong defence in northern Finland and NATO,’ said Colonel Janne Mäkitalo, who is leading the exercise.
In total, about 5,000 troops from 28 countries are taking part in Dynamic Front 25.
