Finland to join NATO's 2026 peacetime activities primarily in Baltic Sea, North Sea and North Atlantic

In its plenary session on 22 May 2025, the Finnish Government endorsed a report on the Finnish Defence Forces' participation in NATO's peacetime activities in 2026. The report was also submitted to Parliament.

"In 2026, Finland will contribute to NATO's collective peacetime activities by deploying two Navy vessels in NATO's maritime area of responsibility, primarily in the Baltic Sea, the North Sea and the North Atlantic. Our participation in NATO's peacetime activities signals the unity of the Alliance and shows its readiness and defence capability. It also demonstrates that we bear our responsibility for the security of our neighbouring areas and that we are committed to increasing stability in the Baltic Sea. The security situation in the region is emphasised as a result of Russia stepping up its hybrid activities," said Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen.

The Finnish Defence Forces plans to contribute to NATO's peacetime activities in 2026 by deploying one Hamina class vessel to the Standing NATO Maritime Group One (SNMG1) and one Katanpää class vessel to the Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group One (SNMCMG1).

The Finnish Defence Forces does not plan to contribute to NATO's Forward Land Forces or to Air Policing and Air Shielding in 2026. The launch and progress of the F-35 fighter deployment project will determine when the Finnish Air Force will be able to resume its participation in NATO's Air Policing and Air Shielding.

NATO's peacetime activities are an important element of NATO's essential purpose where all Allies are prepared to support each other through the implementation of deterrence and defence throughout the territory of the Alliance. NATO's peacetime activities include the Forward Land Forces, the Standing Naval Forces and the Air Policing and Air Shielding missions. Their purpose is to demonstrate NATO's readiness and defence capability and to show that the Allies are committed to unity, solidarity and burden-sharing.

Inquiries: Janne Kuusela, Director General, Ministry of Defence, tel. +358 295 140 300. Requests for interviews with Minister Häkkänen: Dani Niskanen, Special Adviser, tel. +358 415 444 967.