NATO conducts largest artillery drills in Finland despite road, transport woes

NATO has faced challenges in deploying its forces to Lapland, Finland, due to underdeveloped infrastructure and the poor state of local roads.

The challenges stem from the remote nature of Lapland, Finland's northernmost province, much of which lies beyond the Arctic Circle, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

The region is sparsely populated, resulting in either underdeveloped or entirely absent infrastructure.

NATO had planned to establish a headquarters for its land-based forces in this area. However, the logistical hurdles posed by the region's isolation and limited transport networks are proving to be significant obstacles.

Notably, echoing across the snowy hills of Finland’s Lapland, NATO’s largest-ever artillery exercise, Dynamic Front 25, involves 5,000 troops from member nations, including the UK, US, and Sweden. With drills also held in Estonia, Germany, Poland, and Romania, the exercises highlight the alliance's unity and Arctic readiness, particularly after Finland joined NATO last year.

Taking place in Finland's challenging Rovajärvi training area, over 3,600 soldiers conduct live-fire drills in subzero temperatures. Colonel Janne Mäkitalo, overseeing the exercise, emphasised inter-operability and adapting to Arctic conditions, dismissing claims of provocation toward Russia.

Experts interpret the manoeuvres as a message of NATO's defensive capability, particularly in light of Finland's 1,340-kilometre border with Russia. Finnish and allied troops praised the unique opportunity to train at scale in extreme conditions, strengthening cohesion and refining artillery tactics under NATO's collective defence framework.

By Aghakazim Guliyev