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Finnish Chief of Defence and Supreme Allied Commander Transformation Discuss Military Interoperability and Transformation :: NATO's ACT [1]

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Date: 2023-03 

NORFOLK, VA. – General Philippe Lavigne, NATO Supreme Allied Commander Transformation, welcomed General Timo Kivinen, Finnish Chief of Defence, on March 23rd, 2023. Discussions focused on anticipated contributions and integration pathways, as Finland prepares for final accession into NATO.

General Lavigne received Finnish Chief of Defence General Timo Kivinen and his delegation, to discuss defence integration and contribution expectations for Finland. NATO anticipates imminent entry for Finland, as both Turkey and Hungary have ratified Finland’s NATO application.

As Finland and Sweden are in their final ratification processes, integration and interoperability of the Alliance's Military Instrument of Power are key priorities throughout the process. Finland has a history of strong partnerships with NATO – Finland joined the NATO Partnership for Peace programme in 1994, and has extensive experience training and operating with NATO. Finland maintains numerous bilateral security agreements with NATO member nations, including the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

As Finland’s highest-ranking military officer, General Kivinen has 45 years of military service – his extensive and diverse backgrounds include international experiences such as graduate studies at King’s College London and US Army Ranger School. General Kivinen was also commander of Finnish Utti Jaeger Regiment, home of the Finnish Special Forces. General Kivinen is concluding a tour of the United States, which included visits with US military leadership, as well as a Lockheed Martin fighter jet assembly line, as Finland prepares to replace F-18 fighters with F-35’s as part of its military integration.

Highlights of the meeting include discussions on preparations and expectations for Finland’s military, ahead of the final integration into NATO. Other topics included Strategic Foresight work, as well as discussion on Centers of Excellence. Allied Command Transformation is NATO’s Strategic Warfare Development Command, which leads transformation and modernization of the Military Instrument of Power throughout the Alliance. General Lavigne shared the Command's priorities with General Kivinen, including the NATO Warfighting Capstone Concept, Warfare Development Agenda, and Multi-Domain Operations.

“There will be more NATO in Europe,” said Secretary General Stoltenberg on March 20th, in response to Putin’s declared goal of having less NATO in Europe. NATO continues to finalize Finland’s integration – NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg also recently met with Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto and Defence Minister Antti Kaikkonen. NATO's Allied Command Transformation has also established the Finland Accession and Integration Working Group to ensure ongoing support throughout the process.



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[1] Url: https://www.act.nato.int/articles/finnish-chief-defence-and-supreme-allied-commander-transformation-discuss-military-interoperability-and-transformation

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