Finland and Sweden to sign Host Nation Support Memorandum of Understanding

Today, on 7 June 2022, the defence ministers of Finland and Sweden will sign a Host Nation Support Memorandum of Understanding in Reykjavik, Iceland. The Memorandum of Understanding strengthens Finland's and Sweden's defence and deepens bilateral cooperation between the two countries in all security situations, lays the foundation for operational cooperation in peacetime and will make agreeing on host nation support for exercises more flexible.

Host Nation Support (HNS) means separately agreed measures to be taken by a host nation to support the capabilities of forces of another state. Host nation support is provided in all security situations. Host nation support is provided and received, for example, during all international exercises in Finland and abroad and in military crisis management.

From Finland's perspective, the key objective in enhancing practical capabilities for host nation support is to ensure that military assistance can be received effectively.

The current security situation has accelerated the development of host nation support arrangements between Finland and Sweden in 2022 as part of Finland's and Sweden's deepened defence cooperation.

Inquiries: Senior Specialist Mika Varvikko, Ministry of Defence, tel. +358 295 140 316.