Nordic nations unite as Europe’s emerging defence model amid rising tensions

Once renowned for diplomacy and peaceful living, the Nordic countries are rapidly transforming into a formidable defence bloc, responding to mounting concerns over Russian aggression and wavering US commitments under former President Donald Trump.

The region—comprising Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark, and Iceland—is now emerging as a model for European defence integration. With Sweden and Finland joining NATO and others boosting military cooperation, the Nordics are reversing decades of military drawdowns, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

Though no Nordic country could independently counter Russia militarily, their combined economic power is comparable to Russia’s, giving the group significant strategic potential. “You have a regional grouping with the economic and resource potential to develop a fully integrated defence-industrial base like Germany has, but with a completely different kind of threat perception and political will,” said Eric Ciaramella, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

Sweden brings advanced military technology, including submarines and jet fighters. Finland maintains one of Europe’s largest per capita armies, capable of mobilizing 280,000 troops and housing nearly its entire population in underground shelters. Norway contributes Arctic maritime capabilities, while Denmark offers elite combat forces and has taken bold steps in reshaping military policy.

“The Nordic countries have a unified security policy for the first time since the Kalmar Union in the 1400s,” said Norway’s Finance Minister and former NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg. “They have recognized the importance of deepening their military cooperation in a way that we haven’t seen for several centuries.”

Amid fears over US reliability, Denmark raised its defence budget by 70 per cent and is now one of the most vocal advocates for European rearmament. “Denmark is up against the clock because we have lost faith in the Americans,” said Peter Viggo Jakobsen of the Royal Danish Defence College.

The Nordics’ commitment to Ukraine has also grown. Norway will double support to over $8 billion in 2025. Meanwhile, Denmark pioneered “the Danish model,” supporting Ukraine’s defense industry directly.

“It’s a potential Plan B if NATO doesn’t work,” said Matti Pesu of the Finnish Institute of International Affairs.

By Vafa Guliyeva