From Foreign Affairs · · 4m
Nordic allies show NATO how to deter Russia
Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Iceland are building a regional defense cluster that could become a model for NATO's entire eastern frontier.
In brief
Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Iceland are building a regional defense cluster that could become a model for NATO's entire eastern frontier. Nordic countries have created an integrated regional defense cluster that NATO should replicate on its other frontlines to deter Russia with less U.S. support. Originally…
Sweden deploys to help Finland
In August, Sweden deployed fighter aircraft and a warship to patrol Finland's eastern airspace and the Gulf of Finland against Russian air incursions and drones. Swedish assets were placed under Finnish command.
Nordic countries deepen military ties
Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden have expanded regional defense collaboration significantly in the past four years, creating a new long-term defense strategy and unprecedented command integration.
A model for NATO's future
The Nordic countries are forming a regional deterrence cluster, a like-minded group deepening military cooperation to strengthen deterrence and ensure NATO's collective defense as Russia poses a long-term threat.
Europe must do more with less
Moscow's military buildup and escalating attacks on European infrastructure show Russia is a long-term threat. The Trump administration is pushing European allies to take primary responsibility for the continent's defense.
Regional clusters as the answer
NATO member states along the extended frontline should build their own regional clusters and foster bilateral and minilateral partnerships with neighbors to strengthen deterrence and defense capabilities.
How Nordic cooperation began
Nordic defense cooperation took its current form in two thousand nine, when recession-era budgetary constraints pushed the region's five countries to rethink defense commitments through the Nordic Defense Cooperation, or NORDEFCO.
Ukraine changed everything
Only after Russia's two thousand fourteen invasion of Ukraine did Nordic countries see cooperation as a security imperative. Finland and Sweden launched a no-limits military partnership including joint wartime planning.
NATO membership accelerated integration
After Finland and Sweden joined NATO following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in two thousand twenty-two, all remaining limits on Nordic military cooperation evaporated. Even Denmark warmed to collective defense efforts.
The Nordic Airpower Concept
In two thousand twenty-three, Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden developed the Nordic Airpower Concept, giving them the ability to fight as one force with their combined two hundred fifty advanced fighter aircraft.
NORDEFCO Vision two thousand thirty
When Denmark chaired NORDEFCO in two thousand twenty-four, the five governments signed NORDEFCO Vision two thousand thirty, outlining ambitions for joint operations aligned with national and NATO defense interests.
Division of labor emerges
Finland commands regional land operations, Norway hosts regional air operations headquarters, Sweden is the logistics hub, and Denmark hosts regional special operations headquarters. Larger NATO allies fill capability gaps.
Baltic states should follow suit
Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania should build a minilateral framework resembling NORDEFCO, coordinating defense plans, conducting joint exercises, and sharing missile stocks for air defense systems.
Poland's role in Baltic defense
Poland should be involved in Baltic minilateral cooperation, connecting its East Shield fortifications with the Baltic Defense Line and contributing ground-based air defenses to NATO's Baltic Air Policing mission.
Black Sea cooperation begins
Bulgaria, Romania, and Turkey launched a joint mine-clearing operation in July two thousand twenty-four, leading to a joint mission to protect energy infrastructure, telecommunications networks, and undersea pipelines.
Black Sea air forces could cooperate
Bulgaria awaits its F-sixteens, Romania is set to acquire F-thirty-fives, and Turkey seeks readmission to the F-thirty-five program. More frequent exercises would enhance interoperability among regional air forces.
Time is running short
For the Nordics, reaching today's collaboration level took more than fifteen years. Other frontline regions cannot afford to wait that long. Russia may emerge from the Ukraine war more capable and less risk averse.
U.S. has vested interest
U.S. officials have articulated a vision for NATO three point zero, a rebalanced alliance where Europeans lead conventional defense and the United States provides nuclear deterrence and supporting capabilities.
Nordic states as exemplary allies
Finland and Norway direct intelligence capabilities toward monitoring the Russian side of their borders. Finland lets U.S. signals-intelligence aircraft use its airspace to monitor the Kola Peninsula.
Trump administration's mixed signals
The Trump administration has commended Nordic defense spending efforts, with Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden on track to reach three percent of GDP by two thousand twenty-nine. Yet Trump has mused about taking over Greenland.
Greenland deal offers reset
The Greenland agreement signed in September by Washington, Copenhagen, and Nuuk should encourage the Trump administration to play a larger, more constructive role in Arctic security and back Nordic-style minilateral cooperation.
The headline
Nordic countries have created an integrated regional defense cluster that NATO should replicate on its other frontlines to deter Russia with less U.S. support.
