As a Finn I don't think there's any other region in the world where several neighbouring countries have such a strong brotherhood and feeling of mutual respect.
Finnish army sergeant here, its nice to see the Nordics work together, nato is important but the Nordic alliance both militarily and economocally is even more important.
Couldn’t have said it better! The Nordic alliance is indeed crucial, adding a layer of cooperation and shared understanding that goes beyond NATO. It’s amazing to see the support and collaboration growing across our countries.
@@albertofisuyes Norway had outstanding pilots back then, both foreign wings and the maniacs who intercepted the Luftwaffe (and lived, at least some of them) during the invasion. I almost hope you were being sarcastic, so I can point out your stupidity. If not, then thank you.
@@Valokaari It would have been nice to see see this attitude during Winter- and Continuation war. No help came from our ”Nordic Brothers”. Yes, some volunteers. 700 years under Swedish Empire, part of their wars and what they did when we needed help?
as a norwegian i am proud to work with the nordic countries, and especially the Finns, i regard the finns as the thoughest winter soldiers in the world. I bet the russians will be very worried taking on the finns, supported by the rest of the region
as ex Norwegian jeger, I think only the Swedish and Finnish jegers stand a chance to keep up with us on an Arctic winter patrol. The 3 of us are second to none in the high north.
Tiesikkö että noi sun "veljes" raiskas meitä 700vuotta ja toisessa maailmansodassa oli kädet ristissä ettei ryssä pääsis läpi sillä ne olis ollu seuraavat.
where is that Kalmar part come from? I have heard this many times but dont actually have no idea where the name comes from. Sounds something like Hydra from marvel lol
@@formatique_arschloch I more went for the flags of the countries mentioned in the video actually, I'd never forget them or anyone else. But I do think that your point is very good so I've edited the post. Thanks for pointing it out! 🇸🇪❤🇮🇸
Some Nato country in need of help. Sweden: ja ja vi can bring few thousand soldiers okej? Norway: Okej few thousand no more, no more please. Denmark: We can spare few soldiers and few tanks. Finland: is 800,000 soldiers enough? Gotta love the Finns..
Yeah Finland's land army is one hell of a force. My deepest respect goes out to all my Finnish brothers and sisters who train diligently while most Western Europeans get fatter, lazier and more prone to influence from foreign powers. Highest rate of trained population in the world = world's happiest - who would've thought.
Do I not know my history or have Sweden been stubbornly neutral for over 100 years? Norwegians are known to be good contributors to NATO ops, aren't they? Also the Danes have quite many war veterans from their active engagements in Afghanistan and Iraq, might be a small force but it has the experience? ... Finland is just next level shit.
Yeah, there's just one tiny thing with that 800000....What do you think happens to nation if ever there would be a time to have 800000 in arms? Havin 1/10th of nations population in arms is going to cripple the nation ways no external threat barring total annihilation can.
Finland has Sisu!!! And Norway has all but forgotten their warrior ways. Without doubt, Norway has the weakest and smallest of the nordic armies, I actually feel quite ashamed, as a Norwegian.
Finland is the Forward Operating Base, Sweden is the production and logistics hub, Norway is the lock in the north and Denmark the lock in the southern sea lanes.
As Danish. We should learn from Finland and have a far, far better preparedness, bigger army and reserve force. Reintroduce general conscription for all men and women, transfer to the reserve force after conscription with regular call-ups for drills. In cooperation with the other Nordic countries ensure the production of military equipment. Of course with a certain division of labor. Joint Nordic production and purchase will ensure that it is profitable. Significant improvement of civil protection. Denmark is a flat, small country, so it is especially important to have shelters etc. Will it be expensive. Yes god damn it will be expensive, but there must NEVER EVER be an April 9th again.
Yep feel the same, as a swede. We will never reach the same level of personel as during the cold war, because each soldier is worth more now, but there still need to be a bigger shift to more trained reserves in Sweden, Denmark and Norway.
Denmark going as far as Finland is rather foolish, unless you think Germany is going to invade. There aren't any land forces that could realistically invade Denmark, you are far better off keeping the manpower pool in the economy so you can afford a better equipment for an elite force instead, a large amount of infantry wont to Denmark any good but will cost more than things that could.
@@freedomfighter22222 It would perhaps be correct if one imagines that the Danish defense must only fight on Danish soil (we actually already have a Danish battalion in Latvia). But the NATO alliance is not actually set up like that either, and Danish forces regularly participate in exercises with other countries' forces. It is exactly your way of thinking that you need to get away from. If Finland or Sweden is attacked, it is not only an attack on them, but on us. If the military high command needs Danish troops in these two countries, then of course they must fight together with Swedish and Finnish troops. But admittedly it is a 'glorious thought' that Finnish soldiers give up their lives while Danish citizens seek economic muscle. For diplomatic reasons, I shall not elaborate on what I think of that line of thinking. The defense must of course have a professional core, but the idea that a small professional elite should be sufficient should have finally died with the war in Ukraine. But you are right in the sense that behind every soldier at the front there are many others who must contribute to production, transport, intelligence, surveillance etc. And who has spoken of a great infantry force besides you? Today's army consists of many other skills - including drone operators and others.
And yes, I know - I didn't mention all the upgrades in every single army - it would probably take so long that people who aren't into pure military equipment would tune out. This video focused heavily on how the personell is increasing and how the Nordic armies will work together under NORDEFCO. Hope you enjoy it!
@@runeversveen9598 I guess it depends on what European NATO members decide to do now that Trump is elected. There are capable European and South Korean options.
Ive always looked north when searching for close allied. NATO is good n all, and im a big fan of the EU. - But theres just something extra when it comes to the nordic brothers.
Future defense in Sweden. In the proposal, it is proposed that the number of positions should grow from 88,000 today to 130,000 in 2035. An increased number of conscripts, up to 12,000 per year between 2032-2035 and refresher training, is also proposed. The Home Guard consists of 22,000 today and on August 24, it was proposed that it should grow by 3,000 in 6 months.
Thanks for this video, keep them coming! I'm so happy to see that our nordic countries have come this far. I've been wishing for a joint nordic defence force within NATO for ages, and it's reassuring in so many ways that it has finally become a reality. We are true brothers and sisters with shared culture and values in dire need of protection, and with such strong focus on interop between our respective forces, in time we'll be able to withstand any threat. I would love to see you making a video about how the nordics are combating cyber threats, which is also an extremely relevant battlefield, and a huge threat to our security. o7 from a greatful norwegian
Thank you Putin! You have succeeded in strengthening the community between our countries in a way that no one else has managed. Yes, except that it is also thanks to you that NATO has gained two new members. (sarcasm)
The past might have been different if all the Nordics had been more united and more prepared before SHTF. Hopefully this time we'll do better. Never believe peace to be eternal or enforceable without sufficient power.
Finnish reservist here. 9:02 Those numbers don't mean much, especially the active personnel one. What matters is the wartime strength. For example: yes Finland has a very small active military because it's just the necessary salaried officers (command structure, training officers, special forces, pilots, etc) and civilians (I found those amounts to be around 8k and 4k respectively), and the 20k-25k conscripts that are trained each year. Anyway conscripts wouldn't be deployed to combat before finishing their training if there was any opportunity to avoid that, we have a rapid reaction force for that and the previous year's conscripts that we can arm quickly. And yes the full reserves are >800k, according to FDF it's 870k, but that includes everyone up to 60 years old. The actual wartime strength is 280k. That's the amount we can arm with our current resources in a conflict, and who are young enough to withstand combat. The rest of the reserve is the actual reserve in a conflict, and they can be ordered to other support jobs when needed, and only deployed to combat in the most dire need. For the other countries' wartime strength: Sweden - 64k is the most accurate number. (Yearly mobilization potential is 105k on top of that if there's investment to equipment.) Norway - couldn't find anything else but the Home Guard 40k, so at least that, probably more. (Yearly mobilization potential is 70k on top of that if there's investment to equipment.) Denmark - according to multiple sources it seems to be around 80k. (Yearly mobilization potential is 75k on top of that if there's investment to equipment.) Those combined with Finland's wartime strength would be 464k. There is no million strong army like you say in 13:01 Obviously those three don't feel the need to max out their reserves with trained soldiers and equipment like Finland does, so that's why Finland has such a massive wartime strength and reserve compared to them. If there was an impending conflict with any of them, they could match the strength probably in a year or two, or even surpass it. Finland just has a massive border with Russia so we have to show that we are ready at any time. The others would rather save the money because they have Finland as a buffer. So in short, Finland has already maxed out the reserves with all the available bodies there are, there's just no room to increase. Even the fitness requirements are pretty lax to get as many people through conscription as possible. But the other nordic countries even after increasing their numbers, they are still not maxed out at all, they COULD train more if they needed to.
Finland´s defense was originally defend neutral Finland against any incursion during the cold war turning hot. The idea was to convince that during their war neither NATO or Warsaw Pact would not consider violating Finland´s territorial integrity. Honestly, our eastern neighbor has always be most likely attacker so having a large and well trained war time military force has always been a deterrence to convince them that attacking Finland is a very bad idea.
The video missed the Nordics fifth country: Iceland. Iceland doesn't have a military, but coordination with the other Nato and the other Nordic countries is vital. Iceland, the Faroe Islands, Svalbard, Greenland - they must be included in the planning to meet the war criminal ruzzia. This could be an interesting future video answering questions like: Is anything known about the planning? Would Iceland be a likely target for invasion? How is the "problem" with Svalbard's status going to be handled (any nation may operate there (not militarily) but it's Norwegian)?
Defeinitely would be interesting topics for a further, more detailed, video! But to quickly answer this. "Would Iceland be a likely target for invasion?" Yes, as it is an important part in controlling the GIUK Gap.
Yeah, These countries must be protected and I'm sure they're a part of Natos planning in the north. Now with Sweden and Finland it's easier to protect them. I agree, a video about this would be interesting.
Svalbard is demilitarized by treaty... we honor our deals. We currenty are helping our brothers at iceland with airpower. I like that idea... also icelanders can serve in the norwegian Army... several have and are doing that. Some have been in afghanistan with us.
@@Valokaari Yes, the question was rhetorical. ;) I agree of course; would be an interesting video, provided the one making the video doesn't miss a country or two.
@@arcticblue248 Assuming you mean Norway by "we", sometimes deals honored are abused by terrorist nations such as ruzzia. However dealt with, it has to be closely monitored. Glad there's already established cooperation. Would be cool to know more!
Did my service in KaiPr as an NCO and currently serve 10/20 days per year as a sergeant in the Swedish Home Guard. I just love the fact that the Nordic countries work together as one unified Army!
I hope you guys will enjoy this last video on how the Nordics are expanding their armed forces, for the video on the air force: ruclips.net/video/SRJuwcHdwcw/видео.html and the navies: ruclips.net/video/LiGkbZtHCIY/видео.html - have a good one folks!
I'm not sure if I have mentioned this before but one interesting aspect that other members were interested in when Finland was joining NATO...was Finnish generals. This is from memory and not official sources so take with a grain of salt, but apparently many NATO members are "suffering" from an culture of higher ranking officers training to lead smaller units in peace keeping missions or against insurgents. As that was what NATO and many member states have been doing for a while. It kind of accidentally became a culture for officers to learn that instead of total war. For Finnish higher ranking (and lower as well ofc) how to fight a total war has always been the goal of their education. Studying/learning peacekeeping and insurance fighting has been secondary goal and what experiences have been gained there need to be learned to improve the idea of how to fight a total war. Finnish generals have been learning and studying how to fight a war and lead brigades, divisions and army corps their whole professional lives. Apparently that is a big value for NATO as well when doing wargaming and so on. This may have effect or not in long run but it again definitely shows the mentality Finns have had compared to most of the western armies/NATO members. Russian invasion of Ukraine of course has changed the situation, but decades of not learning/studying does probably have some effect.
I can't speak for officer education elsewhere, but during the Cold War we was focusing on one thing and that was defence of Norway. Things did change after the Cold War ended, the major threat was gone, still it's gone, Russia today is nothing compared to the massive military might of Soviet Union. Then 9/11 attacks happened and this War on Terror started, so until Ukraine invasion, we in the west forgot about Russia, Finland and Poland remembered, but western Europe Cold War armies and equipment was removed and military spending dropped... but Finland wasn't that much on their toes, if I remember correctly if going back to 2004 something, SIPRI had you was at 1.3% of GDP, while Norway was at 1.5% of GDP, Denmark-Sweden was at 1.2% and 1.1%. If checking NATO numbers for 2014, I see Finland was at 1.45% of GDP, which was below Norway at 1.54% of GDP. Denmark was low at 1.15%. In dollars, the Norwegian defence budget was almost the same as Finland and Denmark combined, when things like that go on for 20 years, it matters. Finland-Sweden lacked the NATO security grantee that Norway-Denmark had, even so, you spent way less than Norway. In 2008, the Norwegian military budget passed Sweden and been higher for 15 years, so for Sweden we talk about a massive cut in spending's and military might. The view of Finland as best in class, is not right, NATO wins wars with a massive air force and professional soldiers, so the huge Cold War armies is outdated military doctrine. Finland need to modernise too, we all need ability to mobilise for homeland defence, but Finns need to create professional units that can contribute to NATO missions and defence elsewhere. NATO have 5 carrier strike groups and 5 Corps of NATO response force (NFR), on NATO missions we send professionals, not conscripts. In my view, we don't need full conscription, we need to be able to mobilise enough brigades to not be overrun in a few weeks. There is a mountain complex in Norway filled with equipment for US Marine Corps expeditionary force, they can fly in troops and be up and running in a short time. So when Finland was chilling with 1.3% of GDP, the US MC did the opposite, their Norwegian stockpile got a major upgrade. Those caves are today filled with top modern gear, M1 Abrams, artillery, even helicopters and fighters. If you think Finland is as ready for war as US, you mistaken. Their military might is hard to understand, what goes on in Ukraine, ain't possible vs NATO.
If I remember correctly we are now also activating the “total defense” in all of our countries if one is attacked, meaning all of us will switch over to wartime doctrine no matter which country gets attacked to support them!
Finland has a history of having Russia as its neighbour and regularly showing its affection. We also share a history with Sweden, a fact that is more significant than one might think, if looking only on languages. All in all, The feeling of brotherhood in Nordics is palpable. Also, we must remember our brothers and cousins on the other side of the Finnish bay, the Estonians. The Estonians were the top helpers of Finland during WWII, if we look at the country's size. The Estonian spirit is strong (pun intended).
My veteran heart beats strong for this development in military development and cooperation between scandinavian countries. I hope we will increase our budget with more than 2% though, to 3-4%. Additionally, if I was a politician, I would push for the military to have a much much bigger reserve force like Finland. A combat-ready population that is both physically abled to go right back into the soldier life, as well as the skills relatively fresh, seems to be the most instrumental part for modern armies. Just look at Israel, being able to call up 300k+ reservists on short notice for their war on the Iranian regional proxies. Moreover it is refreshing to see that a lot of the military equipment acquired among the scandinavian armies are from the regional military industries. Though the tanks are Leopard2-based...
Exactly - one should not underestimate the importance of a prepared population. A professional defense core must of course be the foundation, but the general population IS and SHOULD be part of the overall defense. And Israel shows precisely that you cannot or must rely solely on a professional core.
Finland has about 280 000 higher-readiness reserves. This is the important operational number, and should be the one referred to. These are younger guys that would be sent to battle first, the rest are often too old to fight but will likely help in other ways. That 880 000 is almost 20% of the total population (>50% of the male 20-64 population), so it is not realistic to have everyone of those taking direct part in combat. It is still a sizable fighting force and Finns also tend to have a high morale for defending their country against Russia (according to surveys). But it is very heartening to see Swedish and the other Nordics taking part in the defense of Lappland. We all needed to join NATO to get that going, as was always predicted. The plans were probably always there, (geo)political realities just made them possible.
True. I would imagine that having military training would come in handy in supporting roles as well through, or in bridging the gap between active and civil defense, even if you're not fit to serve in the frontline anymore.
Not to reveal any secrets, but a lot of NATO officers have recently been learning from the Ukrainians on exactly this point. We'll likely see units just for autonomous systems in the Nordics soon too. Hope you are well Hans!
We have serious business going on in the drone department. As of the moment Finland is building the industrial capacity to mass-produce drones. Quickly and in large quantities. As we have learned from the war in Ukraine any drone technology gets very soon obsolete so our strategy is first to build the capacity to mass-produce and then build smaller production runs of various evolutive drone types designed for different purposes and used for testing and development of tactics and use. If political tensions should become an issue, the production batches would grow bigger very quickly.
I would love a video that went more in depth about the newer standard gear that each soldier will get. I know for example that Sweden is buying new material, all from helmets to boots, skiis and even more fitting panties. But also buying a new family of rifles from a Finnish company, so that logistics and maintanance will be more easy. Love your videos.
This is an excellent presentation! The Nordic countries have long had a reputation as independent, yet very capable and responsible at maintaining their defense forces. The inclusion of Finland and Sweden into NATO provides a geographically unified barrier against Russian (especially Putin's) ambitions. I visited Stockholm as a tourist, long ago. As fate would have it, it was a month after the Chernobyl disaster. It was beautiful, and I'd like to return. P.S. I asked a waiter in Stockholm his thoughts on so few tourists due to Chernobyl. I loved the dry humor of his response. Part of it was "At least I learned how to make chicken Kiev". When I asked how, he said "First you preheat the city to 350 degrees".
Taking into account how many (few) ppl we are in Scandinavia, it makes one proud to see that we are taking our role seriously and that we are acknowledging our responsibility to safeguard Europes northern flank and that we start to pull our weight properly in Nato ! I personaly am to old to join the military, but if i was still 20, i would defenetly consider it very seriously in these times!
Saw a poll the other day... almost 9 out of 10 norwegians are willing to fight for Norway. It was aparently the highest in the west. 80% in Sweden and in Finland and Denmark it was 75%
one of my personal wishes while I was in was always a closer cooperation and coordination between Scandinavian countries. Some of my fondest memories have been joint training in Norway. Edit: the main difficulties we had in the Danish military was retaining personnel, which especially hit our NCO cadre. I hope they find a way to plug those gaps. No amount of extra recruitment will help if the personnel isn't retained.
I hope we (Nordic) focus heavily on drones now! For a region with a low population drones should cover all the needs for personell. Together we should have all the tech, knowledge and production to be a superpower in drones. Armies of a million men is not the future.
For Norway atleast, I think its not enough. We need more equipment, specially in the navy, having the worlds second longest coastline, I feel we need atleast doubble digits of corvetes and frigates.
As a dane, i am proud of the “modern vikings” they are could get back all that power from the 1200’s and 1300’s, and did you know that denmark Makes 2-3 tanks every year
First of all, many thanks for an excellent video, it's most appreciated! I myself have served in the Swedish and French army for 25+ years, but now retired. An interesting topic which are seldom talked about is the wining from leftist. They complain about the amount of money spent on the military, but they don't see how many jobs it actually creates. Our defensindustry are on the rise and only in Sweden several thousands of jobs are created. Not to mention the benefits of conscription were our youth will learn how to teamwork and show to respect each other! So i have question for you, i'd appreciate if you would research and make a video about how many jobs that are actually created in our armies and civil industry thanks to the military expansion? Many thanks // Christian.
Agreed, I've tried to argue with friends who have not been in the military about how conscription helps iron out young adults early and give them great skills for life. Yet, only recently people have started listening. Thanks for your service, FFL?
Swedish Hemvärnet/Home Guard have ambition to increase to 25 000 personal early 2026 and want to to expand more. So i think about ~30 000 is more correct number. Sweden has long way back from 70 000 home guard in 2000 and in the 80s around 120 000.
Is it possible to unite their armed forces, creating a united armed forces will allow the Nordic nations to pool their resources since they use similar systems and can cover each other weaknesses and invest collectively in their growth and maturity. It would also allow for them to reach that 2% GDP better, since the burden will not be on one country but 4. Just a thought
Commenting mainly Finland (and partly our brothers in Sweden & Norway) Artillery The static coastal guns are being replaced to 155mm NATO standard self-propelled artillery systems, even though coastal artillery is already supported by mobile anti-ship missile systems (Sisu SK242 + MTO-85M, Saab RBS-15SF-3). Different variants of these missiles are also used by the Finnish Navy (Hamina/Rauma class missile boats) and Swedish Navy (Visby class corvettes), coastal artillery and Swedish Air Force (Saab JAS Gripen C/D & E/F). I have no idea (for any country) why not to choose the sniper artillery BAE System Archer.. except the price tag. FDF doesn't have 10m€ laying around for one unit, that's why I'm guessing opting for more 2nd hand K9s, and/or wheeled units, Nexter Caesar or that Patria+Sisu integration (155K98 + E13T 8×8). But we'll see if the homemade option fails like it was 2015. Besides, K9 orders are still under way, 48 units has been delivered so far, 48 to go. The ones delivered are being upgraded/localized. Infantry artillery (=heavy mortars) FDF is acquiring the new Patria TREMOS 81mm/120mm mobile mortar system which can be integrated to 4x4, 6x6, 8x8 and light tracked vehicles. FDF already has Patria AMOS armoured mortar system which is why I think they skipped NEMO and opted for even cheaper mortar system. Swedish Navy chose to acquire 8 NEMO systems for their combat boats. As a sidenote, NEMO is also currently being tested by the U.S. Army for the BAE Systems AMPV prototype. Tanks FDF uses guerilla tactics so there is not too big need for MBTs (not that we could afford any new models anyway). Of course doesn't hurt to have 200 Leopard 2A4s & 2A6s. There will be some upgrades to existing vehicles between 2022 and 2026. AFVs Finland is not planning to acquire new Patria AMVs (XA-360), which (again) are too costly. Okay the tank destroyer variant is surely cheaper than MBT, but FDF really doesn't have many of those either. Instead of Patria AMV FDF is focusing on 4 times less expensive Patria 6x6 (XA-300) there will be 164 units by the year 2025. 20 of them will be heavy APCs equipped with Norwegian Kongsberg PROTECTOR RS4. Sweden also acquired 321 Patria 6x6s, many of them equipped with Kongsberg PROTECTOR RS4. As a sidenote, Germany is considering acquiring 1000 Patria 6x6s. Protolab Misu 4x4 MRAP/APC were just 4 test vehicles, FDF has acquired 44 x Sisu GTP 4x4 MRAP/APCs instead. Finland does have 100 CV90 MK2s and I'm guessing willing to acquire more 2nd hand one day. Not exactly comparable to AFV but Patria is also developing ATV (in FAMOUS programme) aiming to replace the aging tracked vehicles in Europe (MT-LB, M113, M548, and Saurer 4K 4FA). Not sure if FDF MT-LBs have already gone to Ukraine though.
What saddens me a bit is that we should have done this from the beginning instead of wasting our lives fighting each other. It would have been a totally different world...
Your prediction in tempo is probably to optimistic. Norway's tempo plan state 2036 as the time the new forces should be up and running. In Norway there are also many issues about salary and other benefits for employed forces. You must pay more to get those numbers of people employed. Comparing the land forces are OK but do not expect parity. Norway need to invest more in sea and air forces due to the long coast. The army has less priority than in Finland and Sweden.
I did wonder if your conscripts numbers was for the army only? In 2023, Norway had 9138 conscripts, the plan is to increase this number somewhat to 13,600, which is about half of what the Finns do. I thought Sweden and Denmark had less ambition, if not, that's awesome news. While the Finnish reserve number of +800,000 look impressive, we are NATO members, that means Nordics ain't alone. NATO Response Force (NRF) is around half a million soldiers, good measure of army capability increase, is to me not only to get higher number of reserves, but if Nordics can increase the contribution to NRF. That means we get a higher number of professional battalions.
Having soldiers coming from all over the world doing their winter training here and the occasional hangar ship parking at our front door should send a pretty strong message. Don't come here, we don't ride in ancient tanks and the terrain is even more shait than Ukraine
About the Finnish artillery. The Finnish Army announced the development of new mobile 120mm mortar system: "The Army has developed in co-operation with the Finnish Defence Forces’ Logistics Command and Patria Land a new, heavy M3 mortar system (M3 denotes Modular Mobile Mortar), the pre-series of which will be procured by the FDF Logistics Command from Patria Land. The new mortars will be delivered to the Army during 2025. The total value of the procurement will be EUR 4,7 million excluding VAT. " Link in comment to this so that RUclips won´t block this message.
Also I think Finland does have a "Home Guard". It is called the "Local Forces" or "Local Defence Companies" (Maakuntajoukot in Finnish) and the strength is about 5000 reservists.
It seems RUclips didn´t like the link. So here´s the press release (yeah, it´s long): Finnish Defence Forces to develop mortar mobility by a new system Army Publication date: 29.10.2024 12.05 Press release In the Army, a project is underway to develop mortar mobility by a new, modular and mobile 120mm mortar M3 weapon system. The Army has developed in co-operation with the Finnish Defence Forces’ Logistics Command and Patria Land a new, heavy M3 mortar system (M3 denotes Modular Mobile Mortar), the pre-series of which will be procured by the FDF Logistics Command from Patria Land. The new mortars will be delivered to the Army during 2025. The total value of the procurement will be EUR 4,7 million excluding VAT. Heavy mortars are used to provide support for forces in combat. In the future, the role of mortars will become more prominent as the forces’ organic heavy fire units of indirect fire. The new weapon system will be fitted and mounted onto a vehicle top from which a request for fire will be executed directly, resulting in increased mortar mobility. The system will utilise the already existing barrel and battle management system that have been integrated to the module with magazine, recoil mechanism and inertial navigation system. The module allows fires from practically all standard container-lock-fitted vehicles. In case of vehicle malfunction, the module can be transfered to another vehicle to continue mission execution. The mortar remains ready for fire direction without specific preparations in all types of soil, and its firing capacity equals at least that of a towed mortar. Finnish-made with security of supply for its components and sparts, the weapon system is easy to operate and cost-efficient. - The new M3 system will improve our forces’ mobility, protection, and effectiveness. The development of the system sets an example of co-operation that has advanced quickly all the way from concept generation, to prototype test fires, to testing the system, to pre-series requirement specifications, to its operational concepts and tactics. The pre-series systems to be procured will be fielded for use case experiences, and the decisions concerning possible additional acquisitions will be made at a later point in time. The objective is to start conscript training using the new mortars during 2026, says Inspector of Infantry, Colonel Ari Lehmuslehti from the Army Command. Movement and maneuver are decisive The development of mortar mobility is threat-driven. An unfortified mortar has no protection to counter air-to-ground threats, and it remains easily detectable while conducting a request for fire. Modern weapon locating radars are almost immediately able to track and calculate the start point for a trajectory of a mortar projectile. A firing position may also be identifiable from the air by, among other, satellites or drones even in case of no fires from a firing position. Also, engaging targets at long range will not alone provide protection. An efficient technique for threat-reduction is to execute a request for fire rapidly at a non-prepared firing position and to relocate immediately after firing. Good tactical movement and maneuver will also compensate for projectile ranges. A vehicle-fitted mortar system allows executing the request for fire closer to the target and enables relocating after mission completion.
I think Norway will get the Himars buddy, The US got an agency called The Defense and security cooperation agency, very transparent, and Norway has a request on there for Himars and various missile pods, its for 16 Himars units+missile pods and other related equipment, US agency estimate the cost to be 580 mn USD. Also happy to see my country(SE) getting this capability finally, should be before 2030, we also need medium/long-range cruise missiles(should also be before 2030), RBS 15 MK IV is said to be able to strike land targets as well, and there will be new mobile/truck mounted launchers for this in the future, so that would be 3 ways to conduct precision strikes.
DanFinSveNor - SveDanNorFin - NorSveFinDan - FinNorSveDan - The row rim doesn't matter as long as we stand together Look closely at reality - and you will find that it is wednesday - every day - and Valhalla is forever...
Did notice some errors on the swedish future strengt at 11:29 its lower than what is already and dont cover future growth Maybe not including decision made the last year or so??? or maybe mainly based on wikipedia?? The homeguard right now is 22000 men and women in 40 homeguardsbataljones but size and goal of them are changing, the core is now the strikecompany for more combatcapability around 17000 of the guard are organised in those. the plan is for 26000 minimum homeguard at 2030 , most think they reach those numbers at 2027
It looks funny to me. History repeating itself in these numbers. Others in nordic countries will fight to the bitter end. In history it was when the last Finnish guy in their armies is dead. We have a quite old saying that "Sweden will fight to the last Finn". I am just joking of course, so before someone will get their panties too far up their butt, please chill. Good video and it is really nice to see that the nordics are getting the Kalmar back!
Wouldn't it have been better if the new command center had been located on a very remote, difficult to conquer mountain in southern Norway? Why have this center close to Russia? What if it falls?
It'll be behind 200kms of lakes and swamps with 800.000 Finns ready to defend it. The issue with Southern Norway is that it is not that far from the coast in any direction, the conglomeration between Finland-Sweden-Norway is vast, cold, wet and has very few roads. Russia tried in that territory before and got stopped by very few Finns on skis. Also the presence there is close to Russia's Northern Fleet, probably also part of the equation.
@@MilitaryRated Thanks for sharing your thoughts! Southern Norway is indeed not that far from the coast, but you also emphasize the closeness to Russa's Northern Fleet as "probably part of the equation" - shouldn't that closeness be a problem, then? And the Finns on skis would not be there on skis if the HQ were to be attacked in the summer (which I guess is the most likely scenario). I still find the location up there, close to Russia, to be somewhat odd, and being 1000m deep inside a (Norwegian?) mountain seems safer. For that reason, the NATO HQ North is located inside a mountain in Stavanger, Norway (not even in the center of Norway, but by the coast).
@@Hermania3000 It's probably the reason why I'm not making the decisions, eh? I'm sure there are good arguments for most countries, in Finland it'll likely be in one hell of a bunker too, Finland have some awesome nuclear-safe bunker systems in their whole country, it's part of Finnish law that all new builds need to fortify the lower levels. In my mind, I'd personally love if it was in Norway rather than Rovaniemi where I tend to get eaten by mosquitoes the size of your hand (I do love you Finns, I just don't like being eaten alive while looking down a scope), but it appears that Finland is getting this one, and Norway is likely getting the air-command centre. It's probably also got to do with Finland having the bulk of the land army out of the four, while the other three are more specialized in the other branches.
The time has come for the Nordic countries to unite for the first time in history with common external borders and a common army, navy and air force. It is urgent to think and act quickly. In Denmark, we are saddled with the most inept politicians in history. Our navy has dummy guns and most recently we have bought useless Israeli artillery for a staggering amount - enough to throw out to all the pipes and cables in the Baltic Sea... and all this despite the fact that Norway and especially Sweden have everything we need use. We need to unite our defenses and also have a joint police force geared to act on international and multicultural crime. The US has begun the early stages of taking over Greenland... yes, Danish politicians have even just completed an airport so that the Americans can fly to Greenland in 4 hours! A self-built Trojan horse for DKK 1 billion. As every Scandinavian man says to himself when he looks out over mountains, rivers and fjords... "Hva i helvete er det dere driver med? Dere aner ikke hvor mye vi har slitt å bygge dette landet!
Denmark-Norway-Finland Has been fighting side by side on the Eastern Front in ww2 All northern countries are the same people same lifestyle Only difference is the language😆
As a Finn I don't think there's any other region in the world where several neighbouring countries have such a strong brotherhood and feeling of mutual respect.
It is also a region that has built societies worth defending at any cost.
And crazy enemy trying to expand last 500 years
Solidaritet broder ❤
We are brothers and sisters of the north!
I totally agree with you! It's a great feeling knowing we have each others back!
Finnish army sergeant here, its nice to see the Nordics work together, nato is important but the Nordic alliance both militarily and economocally is even more important.
Agreed!
Agreed 👍
Agreed!
Couldn’t have said it better! The Nordic alliance is indeed crucial, adding a layer of cooperation and shared understanding that goes beyond NATO. It’s amazing to see the support and collaboration growing across our countries.
@TomNyon: This DK/guy Agree - 1 like upcoming
Love all my Nordic brothers out there❤
United as one
We Nordics turn into a fine tuned military force together. I am norwegian air force veteran.
Thank you for your service!
Yeah, like we saw that during WW2
@@albertofisuyes Norway had outstanding pilots back then, both foreign wings and the maniacs who intercepted the Luftwaffe (and lived, at least some of them) during the invasion.
I almost hope you were being sarcastic, so I can point out your stupidity. If not, then thank you.
@@albertofisu Care to elaborate?
@@Valokaari It would have been nice to see see this attitude during Winter- and Continuation war. No help came from our ”Nordic Brothers”. Yes, some volunteers. 700 years under Swedish Empire, part of their wars and what they did when we needed help?
Thank you once again great video, NORDIC BROTHERS and SISTERS TOGETHER
Glad you liked it!
Perkele hyvä...
as a norwegian i am proud to work with the nordic countries, and especially the Finns, i regard the finns as the thoughest winter soldiers in the world. I bet the russians will be very worried taking on the finns, supported by the rest of the region
Glad we are brothers🇫🇮🤝🇳🇴
as ex Norwegian jeger, I think only the Swedish and Finnish jegers stand a chance to keep up with us on an Arctic winter patrol. The 3 of us are second to none in the high north.
As a Finn i see Swedes and Norwegians as my bros, lets hold the line and do everything together.
We got your back.
Same here! Greetings from Sweden
Tiesikkö että noi sun "veljes" raiskas meitä 700vuotta ja toisessa maailmansodassa oli kädet ristissä ettei ryssä pääsis läpi sillä ne olis ollu seuraavat.
We goy your back bro
Now finally after 500 dark years of waiting, we finally have our Kalmar Union in full force again! 😁
Hahaahahahahahaahaha
Finallly we made it
as slaves to america
@@truxton1000 Do you have aspergers?
where is that Kalmar part come from? I have heard this many times but dont actually have no idea where the name comes from. Sounds something like Hydra from marvel lol
As a swede, we're always gonna have huge banter and rivalry between nordic countries. But when the shit hits the fan, we're one unit nowadays.
Thanks for another great vid! The Nordics together! ❤🇸🇪🇫🇮🇮🇸🇩🇰🇧🇻❤
Thank you!
You forgot Iceland.
@@formatique_arschlochThey have no military. But as a Norwegian, I love them like a big brother (not condescendingly) would.
@@formatique_arschloch I more went for the flags of the countries mentioned in the video actually, I'd never forget them or anyone else. But I do think that your point is very good so I've edited the post. Thanks for pointing it out! 🇸🇪❤🇮🇸
Some Nato country in need of help.
Sweden: ja ja vi can bring few thousand soldiers okej?
Norway: Okej few thousand no more, no more please.
Denmark: We can spare few soldiers and few tanks.
Finland: is 800,000 soldiers enough?
Gotta love the Finns..
Yeah Finland's land army is one hell of a force. My deepest respect goes out to all my Finnish brothers and sisters who train diligently while most Western Europeans get fatter, lazier and more prone to influence from foreign powers. Highest rate of trained population in the world = world's happiest - who would've thought.
Do I not know my history or have Sweden been stubbornly neutral for over 100 years? Norwegians are known to be good contributors to NATO ops, aren't they? Also the Danes have quite many war veterans from their active engagements in Afghanistan and Iraq, might be a small force but it has the experience? ... Finland is just next level shit.
It be fair that amount of reserve is in practice only possible for defence of our own country.
Yeah, there's just one tiny thing with that 800000....What do you think happens to nation if ever there would be a time to have 800000 in arms?
Havin 1/10th of nations population in arms is going to cripple the nation ways no external threat barring total annihilation can.
Finland has Sisu!!! And Norway has all but forgotten their warrior ways. Without doubt, Norway has the weakest and smallest of the nordic armies, I actually feel quite ashamed, as a Norwegian.
Finland is the Forward Operating Base, Sweden is the production and logistics hub, Norway is the lock in the north and Denmark the lock in the southern sea lanes.
As Danish. We should learn from Finland and have a far, far better preparedness, bigger army and reserve force.
Reintroduce general conscription for all men and women, transfer to the reserve force after conscription with regular call-ups for drills.
In cooperation with the other Nordic countries ensure the production of military equipment. Of course with a certain division of labor. Joint Nordic production and purchase will ensure that it is profitable.
Significant improvement of civil protection. Denmark is a flat, small country, so it is especially important to have shelters etc.
Will it be expensive. Yes god damn it will be expensive, but there must NEVER EVER be an April 9th again.
Agreed! Have a great evening.
Yep feel the same, as a swede. We will never reach the same level of personel as during the cold war, because each soldier is worth more now, but there still need to be a bigger shift to more trained reserves in Sweden, Denmark and Norway.
Denmark going as far as Finland is rather foolish, unless you think Germany is going to invade.
There aren't any land forces that could realistically invade Denmark, you are far better off keeping the manpower pool in the economy so you can afford a better equipment for an elite force instead, a large amount of infantry wont to Denmark any good but will cost more than things that could.
@@freedomfighter22222 It would perhaps be correct if one imagines that the Danish defense must only fight on Danish soil (we actually already have a Danish battalion in Latvia). But the NATO alliance is not actually set up like that either, and Danish forces regularly participate in exercises with other countries' forces. It is exactly your way of thinking that you need to get away from. If Finland or Sweden is attacked, it is not only an attack on them, but on us. If the military high command needs Danish troops in these two countries, then of course they must fight together with Swedish and Finnish troops.
But admittedly it is a 'glorious thought' that Finnish soldiers give up their lives while Danish citizens seek economic muscle. For diplomatic reasons, I shall not elaborate on what I think of that line of thinking.
The defense must of course have a professional core, but the idea that a small professional elite should be sufficient should have finally died with the war in Ukraine. But you are right in the sense that behind every soldier at the front there are many others who must contribute to production, transport, intelligence, surveillance etc. And who has spoken of a great infantry force besides you? Today's army consists of many other skills - including drone operators and others.
@@jorgenlarsen775godt skrevet👍🏻
Also Finland has about 100 CV90’s which currently are undergoing a midlife upgrade.
all of us in the north.. finland denmark norway and sweden,,, when shit hits the fan we are combined and help eachother! dont mess with the north!
Love our Nordic neighbours ❤️ From Denmark
And yes, I know - I didn't mention all the upgrades in every single army - it would probably take so long that people who aren't into pure military equipment would tune out. This video focused heavily on how the personell is increasing and how the Nordic armies will work together under NORDEFCO. Hope you enjoy it!
I do believe Denmark is adding 9 Leopard 2a7's to their tank fleet.
Norway are getting Amraams worth 400 mill dollars, Himars systems and a lot more.
@@runeversveen9598 I guess it depends on what European NATO members decide to do now that Trump is elected. There are capable European and South Korean options.
@@MilitaryRated a lot of production are been increased in European countries. You know where all the Amraams rocket propulsion systems are build? 😬
Ive always looked north when searching for close allied.
NATO is good n all, and im a big fan of the EU.
- But theres just something extra when it comes to the nordic brothers.
Yeah, no one knows what the future holds, but it is comforting knowing we atleast have the four us working together however the future turns out.
@@maxkurtson9892 This is true! And the bond between the nordic countries is stronger than ever. I've never seen or felt this before.
Future defense in Sweden.
In the proposal, it is proposed that the number of positions should grow from 88,000 today to 130,000 in 2035. An increased number of conscripts, up to 12,000 per year between 2032-2035 and refresher training, is also proposed.
The Home Guard consists of 22,000 today and on August 24, it was proposed that it should grow by 3,000 in 6 months.
Are you going to draft the Jihadists into the Swedish army?
Well equipped, well trained and well coordinated. You can’t get better than that. 🇨🇦
Thanks for this video, keep them coming! I'm so happy to see that our nordic countries have come this far. I've been wishing for a joint nordic defence force within NATO for ages, and it's reassuring in so many ways that it has finally become a reality.
We are true brothers and sisters with shared culture and values in dire need of protection, and with such strong focus on interop between our respective forces, in time we'll be able to withstand any threat.
I would love to see you making a video about how the nordics are combating cyber threats, which is also an extremely relevant battlefield, and a huge threat to our security.
o7 from a greatful norwegian
Great video, as usual. Thanks for creating and uploading.
Thanks Hans!
You forgot to add that from now on. Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland share a combat uniform (NCUS - Nordic Combat Uniform System).👍
Öka amo-produktionen, Ryssarna kör dygnet runt. Vi måste också ge Ukraina vad dom behöver. Verkstad gäller.
nej ge inget till ukraina men producera 24/7
@@axdde6428 Varje död ryss på ukrainsk mark är en vinst för Sverige. Ge Ukraina mer ammo.
Ryssarna rärknar sin 100 och 120 med till arteleri. Vi o väst räknar bara 155mm
@@axdde6428 Ju mer vi ger till Ukraina, desto längre tid har vi på oss att öka produktionen till vår militär. Har du ingen hjärna?
Thank you Putin!
You have succeeded in strengthening the community between our countries in a way that no one else has managed. Yes, except that it is also thanks to you that NATO has gained two new members.
(sarcasm)
The past might have been different if all the Nordics had been more united and more prepared before SHTF.
Hopefully this time we'll do better. Never believe peace to be eternal or enforceable without sufficient power.
It's great that Finland joined NATO. Frrom France, Thank you Finland.
Thanks for great new video.
I really like your concept.
Take care. Ära till Kalmarunionen!
Thanks Puhi! Have a great day. :)
Glad you liked it Puhi! Have a great week (and weekend).
Keep up the good work!
Finnish reservist here. 9:02 Those numbers don't mean much, especially the active personnel one. What matters is the wartime strength. For example: yes Finland has a very small active military because it's just the necessary salaried officers (command structure, training officers, special forces, pilots, etc) and civilians (I found those amounts to be around 8k and 4k respectively), and the 20k-25k conscripts that are trained each year. Anyway conscripts wouldn't be deployed to combat before finishing their training if there was any opportunity to avoid that, we have a rapid reaction force for that and the previous year's conscripts that we can arm quickly. And yes the full reserves are >800k, according to FDF it's 870k, but that includes everyone up to 60 years old. The actual wartime strength is 280k. That's the amount we can arm with our current resources in a conflict, and who are young enough to withstand combat. The rest of the reserve is the actual reserve in a conflict, and they can be ordered to other support jobs when needed, and only deployed to combat in the most dire need.
For the other countries' wartime strength:
Sweden - 64k is the most accurate number. (Yearly mobilization potential is 105k on top of that if there's investment to equipment.)
Norway - couldn't find anything else but the Home Guard 40k, so at least that, probably more. (Yearly mobilization potential is 70k on top of that if there's investment to equipment.)
Denmark - according to multiple sources it seems to be around 80k. (Yearly mobilization potential is 75k on top of that if there's investment to equipment.)
Those combined with Finland's wartime strength would be 464k. There is no million strong army like you say in 13:01
Obviously those three don't feel the need to max out their reserves with trained soldiers and equipment like Finland does, so that's why Finland has such a massive wartime strength and reserve compared to them. If there was an impending conflict with any of them, they could match the strength probably in a year or two, or even surpass it. Finland just has a massive border with Russia so we have to show that we are ready at any time. The others would rather save the money because they have Finland as a buffer. So in short, Finland has already maxed out the reserves with all the available bodies there are, there's just no room to increase. Even the fitness requirements are pretty lax to get as many people through conscription as possible. But the other nordic countries even after increasing their numbers, they are still not maxed out at all, they COULD train more if they needed to.
Finland´s defense was originally defend neutral Finland against any incursion during the cold war turning hot. The idea was to convince that during their war neither NATO or Warsaw Pact would not consider violating Finland´s territorial integrity. Honestly, our eastern neighbor has always be most likely attacker so having a large and well trained war time military force has always been a deterrence to convince them that attacking Finland is a very bad idea.
The video missed the Nordics fifth country: Iceland.
Iceland doesn't have a military, but coordination with the other Nato and the other Nordic countries is vital. Iceland, the Faroe Islands, Svalbard, Greenland - they must be included in the planning to meet the war criminal ruzzia.
This could be an interesting future video answering questions like: Is anything known about the planning? Would Iceland be a likely target for invasion? How is the "problem" with Svalbard's status going to be handled (any nation may operate there (not militarily) but it's Norwegian)?
Defeinitely would be interesting topics for a further, more detailed, video!
But to quickly answer this.
"Would Iceland be a likely target for invasion?"
Yes, as it is an important part in controlling the GIUK Gap.
Yeah, These countries must be protected and I'm sure they're a part of Natos planning in the north. Now with Sweden and Finland it's easier to protect them.
I agree, a video about this would be interesting.
Svalbard is demilitarized by treaty... we honor our deals. We currenty are helping our brothers at iceland with airpower. I like that idea... also icelanders can serve in the norwegian Army... several have and are doing that. Some have been in afghanistan with us.
@@Valokaari Yes, the question was rhetorical. ;) I agree of course; would be an interesting video, provided the one making the video doesn't miss a country or two.
@@arcticblue248 Assuming you mean Norway by "we", sometimes deals honored are abused by terrorist nations such as ruzzia. However dealt with, it has to be closely monitored. Glad there's already established cooperation. Would be cool to know more!
Did my service in KaiPr as an NCO and currently serve 10/20 days per year as a sergeant in the Swedish Home Guard.
I just love the fact that the Nordic countries work together as one unified Army!
I hope you guys will enjoy this last video on how the Nordics are expanding their armed forces, for the video on the air force: ruclips.net/video/SRJuwcHdwcw/видео.html and the navies: ruclips.net/video/LiGkbZtHCIY/видео.html - have a good one folks!
I'm not sure if I have mentioned this before but one interesting aspect that other members were interested in when Finland was joining NATO...was Finnish generals. This is from memory and not official sources so take with a grain of salt, but apparently many NATO members are "suffering" from an culture of higher ranking officers training to lead smaller units in peace keeping missions or against insurgents. As that was what NATO and many member states have been doing for a while. It kind of accidentally became a culture for officers to learn that instead of total war.
For Finnish higher ranking (and lower as well ofc) how to fight a total war has always been the goal of their education. Studying/learning peacekeeping and insurance fighting has been secondary goal and what experiences have been gained there need to be learned to improve the idea of how to fight a total war.
Finnish generals have been learning and studying how to fight a war and lead brigades, divisions and army corps their whole professional lives. Apparently that is a big value for NATO as well when doing wargaming and so on. This may have effect or not in long run but it again definitely shows the mentality Finns have had compared to most of the western armies/NATO members. Russian invasion of Ukraine of course has changed the situation, but decades of not learning/studying does probably have some effect.
I can't speak for officer education elsewhere, but during the Cold War we was focusing on one thing and that was defence of Norway. Things did change after the Cold War ended, the major threat was gone, still it's gone, Russia today is nothing compared to the massive military might of Soviet Union. Then 9/11 attacks happened and this War on Terror started, so until Ukraine invasion, we in the west forgot about Russia, Finland and Poland remembered, but western Europe Cold War armies and equipment was removed and military spending dropped... but Finland wasn't that much on their toes, if I remember correctly if going back to 2004 something, SIPRI had you was at 1.3% of GDP, while Norway was at 1.5% of GDP, Denmark-Sweden was at 1.2% and 1.1%. If checking NATO numbers for 2014, I see Finland was at 1.45% of GDP, which was below Norway at 1.54% of GDP. Denmark was low at 1.15%. In dollars, the Norwegian defence budget was almost the same as Finland and Denmark combined, when things like that go on for 20 years, it matters.
Finland-Sweden lacked the NATO security grantee that Norway-Denmark had, even so, you spent way less than Norway. In 2008, the Norwegian military budget passed Sweden and been higher for 15 years, so for Sweden we talk about a massive cut in spending's and military might. The view of Finland as best in class, is not right, NATO wins wars with a massive air force and professional soldiers, so the huge Cold War armies is outdated military doctrine. Finland need to modernise too, we all need ability to mobilise for homeland defence, but Finns need to create professional units that can contribute to NATO missions and defence elsewhere. NATO have 5 carrier strike groups and 5 Corps of NATO response force (NFR), on NATO missions we send professionals, not conscripts.
In my view, we don't need full conscription, we need to be able to mobilise enough brigades to not be overrun in a few weeks. There is a mountain complex in Norway filled with equipment for US Marine Corps expeditionary force, they can fly in troops and be up and running in a short time. So when Finland was chilling with 1.3% of GDP, the US MC did the opposite, their Norwegian stockpile got a major upgrade. Those caves are today filled with top modern gear, M1 Abrams, artillery, even helicopters and fighters. If you think Finland is as ready for war as US, you mistaken. Their military might is hard to understand, what goes on in Ukraine, ain't possible vs NATO.
Quality content. Well researched, profound and thoughtful. Subscribed.
Thank you 👍
If I remember correctly we are now also activating the “total defense” in all of our countries if one is attacked, meaning all of us will switch over to wartime doctrine no matter which country gets attacked to support them!
We stand, 4 brothers together!
Conscript from Norway 1998, about time we buff the military.
Finlands total army including reserves is almost million men. Love to see Nordic brothers and sisters working together again like Kalmar union.
Stolt över alla nordiska bröder!
Vi är vikingarna från Norden
Refreshing to see a non AI video that gives information. Keep it going
Finland has a history of having Russia as its neighbour and regularly showing its affection. We also share a history with Sweden, a fact that is more significant than one might think, if looking only on languages. All in all, The feeling of brotherhood in Nordics is palpable.
Also, we must remember our brothers and cousins on the other side of the Finnish bay, the Estonians. The Estonians were the top helpers of Finland during WWII, if we look at the country's size. The Estonian spirit is strong (pun intended).
Time to dust off the old conscription system, my dear Nordic friends.
Yeah, Sweden, Norway and Denmark should follow our lead with conscription
@@SilverGamingFI Sweden have conscription?
@@kristofferhellstrom okay, didn't know that
@@kristofferhellstrom Nominally
@@SilverGamingFI Nah, no need for a huge conscript army. NATO contribution is professional soldiers, not conscripts.
Vikings together are strong💪 I'm happy about our brotherhood. 👋 From 🇫🇮
Nordic military at 100% power: 🇸🇪🇳🇴🇩🇰🇫🇮
Nordic military at 90% power: 🇫🇮
Nah thats not true Sweden has the strongest military in the Nordics by far according to every ranking
Not really. Finland has close to 900.000 trained soldiers and about as much artillery as the US, or over 10x Germany and close to 100X Sweden.
Sweden is the stongest
My veteran heart beats strong for this development in military development and cooperation between scandinavian countries. I hope we will increase our budget with more than 2% though, to 3-4%. Additionally, if I was a politician, I would push for the military to have a much much bigger reserve force like Finland. A combat-ready population that is both physically abled to go right back into the soldier life, as well as the skills relatively fresh, seems to be the most instrumental part for modern armies. Just look at Israel, being able to call up 300k+ reservists on short notice for their war on the Iranian regional proxies. Moreover it is refreshing to see that a lot of the military equipment acquired among the scandinavian armies are from the regional military industries. Though the tanks are Leopard2-based...
Exactly - one should not underestimate the importance of a prepared population. A professional defense core must of course be the foundation, but the general population IS and SHOULD be part of the overall defense. And Israel shows precisely that you cannot or must rely solely on a professional core.
Finland has about 280 000 higher-readiness reserves. This is the important operational number, and should be the one referred to. These are younger guys that would be sent to battle first, the rest are often too old to fight but will likely help in other ways. That 880 000 is almost 20% of the total population (>50% of the male 20-64 population), so it is not realistic to have everyone of those taking direct part in combat. It is still a sizable fighting force and Finns also tend to have a high morale for defending their country against Russia (according to surveys). But it is very heartening to see Swedish and the other Nordics taking part in the defense of Lappland. We all needed to join NATO to get that going, as was always predicted. The plans were probably always there, (geo)political realities just made them possible.
True. I would imagine that having military training would come in handy in supporting roles as well through, or in bridging the gap between active and civil defense, even if you're not fit to serve in the frontline anymore.
Are there any countries in the world who has such love for each other as the Nordics?
Its more like a love/hate relashionship.... 😂 but to your question, no... no there isnt.❤
It sounds great but i hope we look at the drone part as well. Thank you for a great channel.
Not to reveal any secrets, but a lot of NATO officers have recently been learning from the Ukrainians on exactly this point. We'll likely see units just for autonomous systems in the Nordics soon too. Hope you are well Hans!
We have serious business going on in the drone department.
As of the moment Finland is building the industrial capacity to mass-produce drones. Quickly and in large quantities.
As we have learned from the war in Ukraine any drone technology gets very soon obsolete so our strategy is first to build the capacity to mass-produce and then build smaller production runs of various evolutive drone types designed for different purposes and used for testing and development of tactics and use. If political tensions should become an issue, the production batches would grow bigger very quickly.
I would love a video that went more in depth about the newer standard gear that each soldier will get. I know for example that Sweden is buying new material, all from helmets to boots, skiis and even more fitting panties. But also buying a new family of rifles from a Finnish company, so that logistics and maintanance will be more easy. Love your videos.
This is an excellent presentation! The Nordic countries have long had a reputation as independent, yet very capable and responsible at maintaining their defense forces. The inclusion of Finland and Sweden into NATO provides a geographically unified barrier against Russian (especially Putin's) ambitions. I visited Stockholm as a tourist, long ago. As fate would have it, it was a month after the Chernobyl disaster. It was beautiful, and I'd like to return. P.S. I asked a waiter in Stockholm his thoughts on so few tourists due to Chernobyl. I loved the dry humor of his response. Part of it was "At least I learned how to make chicken Kiev". When I asked how, he said "First you preheat the city to 350 degrees".
Great joke from the waiter, dry humour is a Nordic thing. We look forward to having you back. :)
Sweden has already announced the 2030 goal 115 000
Yes, but that's across all branches. This is just the army.
Taking into account how many (few) ppl we are in Scandinavia, it makes one proud to see that we are taking our role seriously and that we are acknowledging our responsibility to safeguard Europes northern flank and that we start to pull our weight properly in Nato !
I personaly am to old to join the military, but if i was still 20, i would defenetly consider it very seriously in these times!
Most of the artillery and manpower is in Finland so i don't know how seriously the scandis are taken because we are not scandis!!
The Strv123 is going too have the L55 gun instead of L44
The Visby-class corvettes gen2
Jas39 Gripen E
A26 Submarine
>the force comparison between the Nordic countries
"one of these is not like the others"
Saw a poll the other day... almost 9 out of 10 norwegians are willing to fight for Norway. It was aparently the highest in the west. 80% in Sweden and in Finland and Denmark it was 75%
Defend the oil🫡
one of my personal wishes while I was in was always a closer cooperation and coordination between Scandinavian countries. Some of my fondest memories have been joint training in Norway.
Edit: the main difficulties we had in the Danish military was retaining personnel, which especially hit our NCO cadre. I hope they find a way to plug those gaps. No amount of extra recruitment will help if the personnel isn't retained.
Agreed. I too hope the issues in Denmark are solved. It’s a shame to train someone for years to lose them to the private sector.
"All embrace me, it´s my time to rule at last"
I hope we (Nordic) focus heavily on drones now! For a region with a low population drones should cover all the needs for personell. Together we should have all the tech, knowledge and production to be a superpower in drones. Armies of a million men is not the future.
For Norway atleast, I think its not enough. We need more equipment, specially in the navy, having the worlds second longest coastline, I feel we need atleast doubble digits of corvetes and frigates.
My opinion for Norway: planes, ships, some ground forces, all up to north
As a dane, i am proud of the “modern vikings” they are could get back all that power from the 1200’s and 1300’s, and did you know that denmark Makes 2-3 tanks every year
Good briefing
First of all, many thanks for an excellent video, it's most appreciated!
I myself have served in the Swedish and French army for 25+ years, but now retired.
An interesting topic which are seldom talked about is the wining from leftist. They complain about the amount of money spent on the military, but they don't see how many jobs it actually creates.
Our defensindustry are on the rise and only in Sweden several thousands of jobs are created.
Not to mention the benefits of conscription were our youth will learn how to teamwork and show to respect each other!
So i have question for you, i'd appreciate if you would research and make a video about how many jobs that are actually created in our armies and civil industry thanks to the military expansion?
Many thanks
// Christian.
Agreed, I've tried to argue with friends who have not been in the military about how conscription helps iron out young adults early and give them great skills for life. Yet, only recently people have started listening. Thanks for your service, FFL?
@MilitaryRated Many thanks for your answer👍🏻
Yep, FFL 1er REC 89-93, the sweaty years😅
@@christiangilensparr6225 Fond memories of good times with the FFL on missions, quality through and through - sweaty indeed!
Swedish Hemvärnet/Home Guard have ambition to increase to 25 000 personal early 2026 and want to to expand more. So i think about ~30 000 is more correct number. Sweden has long way back from 70 000 home guard in 2000 and in the 80s around 120 000.
Is it possible to unite their armed forces, creating a united armed forces will allow the Nordic nations to pool their resources since they use similar systems and can cover each other weaknesses and invest collectively in their growth and maturity. It would also allow for them to reach that 2% GDP better, since the burden will not be on one country but 4. Just a thought
United we stand✊✊
We are brothers and sisters. Regarding military matters.. The North keep their mout shut. Best regards/ One of us,.
Of course hopefully we will never actually have act in a real war, but being prepared for it is very important!
Commenting mainly Finland (and partly our brothers in Sweden & Norway)
Artillery
The static coastal guns are being replaced to 155mm NATO standard self-propelled artillery systems, even though coastal artillery is already supported by mobile anti-ship missile systems (Sisu SK242 + MTO-85M, Saab RBS-15SF-3). Different variants of these missiles are also used by the Finnish Navy (Hamina/Rauma class missile boats) and Swedish Navy (Visby class corvettes), coastal artillery and Swedish Air Force (Saab JAS Gripen C/D & E/F).
I have no idea (for any country) why not to choose the sniper artillery BAE System Archer.. except the price tag. FDF doesn't have 10m€ laying around for one unit, that's why I'm guessing opting for more 2nd hand K9s, and/or wheeled units, Nexter Caesar or that Patria+Sisu integration (155K98 + E13T 8×8). But we'll see if the homemade option fails like it was 2015. Besides, K9 orders are still under way, 48 units has been delivered so far, 48 to go. The ones delivered are being upgraded/localized.
Infantry artillery (=heavy mortars)
FDF is acquiring the new Patria TREMOS 81mm/120mm mobile mortar system which can be integrated to 4x4, 6x6, 8x8 and light tracked vehicles. FDF already has Patria AMOS armoured mortar system which is why I think they skipped NEMO and opted for even cheaper mortar system. Swedish Navy chose to acquire 8 NEMO systems for their combat boats. As a sidenote, NEMO is also currently being tested by the U.S. Army for the BAE Systems AMPV prototype.
Tanks
FDF uses guerilla tactics so there is not too big need for MBTs (not that we could afford any new models anyway). Of course doesn't hurt to have 200 Leopard 2A4s & 2A6s. There will be some upgrades to existing vehicles between 2022 and 2026.
AFVs
Finland is not planning to acquire new Patria AMVs (XA-360), which (again) are too costly. Okay the tank destroyer variant is surely cheaper than MBT, but FDF really doesn't have many of those either. Instead of Patria AMV FDF is focusing on 4 times less expensive Patria 6x6 (XA-300) there will be 164 units by the year 2025. 20 of them will be heavy APCs equipped with Norwegian Kongsberg PROTECTOR RS4. Sweden also acquired 321 Patria 6x6s, many of them equipped with Kongsberg PROTECTOR RS4. As a sidenote, Germany is considering acquiring 1000 Patria 6x6s.
Protolab Misu 4x4 MRAP/APC were just 4 test vehicles, FDF has acquired 44 x Sisu GTP 4x4 MRAP/APCs instead.
Finland does have 100 CV90 MK2s and I'm guessing willing to acquire more 2nd hand one day.
Not exactly comparable to AFV but Patria is also developing ATV (in FAMOUS programme) aiming to replace the aging tracked vehicles in Europe (MT-LB, M113, M548, and Saurer 4K 4FA). Not sure if FDF MT-LBs have already gone to Ukraine though.
🇸🇪🤝🇩🇰🤝🇫🇮🤝🇳🇴
What saddens me a bit is that we should have done this from the beginning instead of wasting our lives fighting each other. It would have been a totally different world...
Your prediction in tempo is probably to optimistic. Norway's tempo plan state 2036 as the time the new forces should be up and running. In Norway there are also many issues about salary and other benefits for employed forces. You must pay more to get those numbers of people employed.
Comparing the land forces are OK but do not expect parity. Norway need to invest more in sea and air forces due to the long coast. The army has less priority than in Finland and Sweden.
Sweden is actually at 2.4% right now and will be 2.6% in 2026.
I did wonder if your conscripts numbers was for the army only? In 2023, Norway had 9138 conscripts, the plan is to increase this number somewhat to 13,600, which is about half of what the Finns do. I thought Sweden and Denmark had less ambition, if not, that's awesome news.
While the Finnish reserve number of +800,000 look impressive, we are NATO members, that means Nordics ain't alone. NATO Response Force (NRF) is around half a million soldiers, good measure of army capability increase, is to me not only to get higher number of reserves, but if Nordics can increase the contribution to NRF. That means we get a higher number of professional battalions.
Yes, it is only for the army, though I've just estimated it based on current percentages - so it might not be 100%.
Great! Now let's hope we don't need to use this alliance in war-time.
Would you do a video of the combined Nordic forces land, sea and air?
Hmm, it could be an idea, I'll have a think about it, it'd likely be a very long video.. how long are you prepared to listen to me ramble?
@@MilitaryRated as long as it takes: 2 - 3 h (always have 'pause')
Having soldiers coming from all over the world doing their winter training here and the occasional hangar ship parking at our front door should send a pretty strong message. Don't come here, we don't ride in ancient tanks and the terrain is even more shait than Ukraine
As the Starks from GoT used to say: The North Remembers. Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland together! DON'T FUCK WITH US! :D
All Nordic militaries use:
- Leopard 2:s as tanks
- CV90s as IFVs
- Patria Pasis as APCs
Also, all air forces except Sweden will be operating F-35s
Being nordic is apparently extremely cool
🇸🇪💞🇫🇮💞🇩🇰💞🇮🇸💞🇳🇴
About the Finnish artillery. The Finnish Army announced the development of new mobile 120mm mortar system:
"The Army has developed in co-operation with the Finnish Defence Forces’ Logistics Command and Patria Land a new, heavy M3 mortar system (M3 denotes Modular Mobile Mortar), the pre-series of which will be procured by the FDF Logistics Command from Patria Land. The new mortars will be delivered to the Army during 2025. The total value of the procurement will be EUR 4,7 million excluding VAT. "
Link in comment to this so that RUclips won´t block this message.
Also I think Finland does have a "Home Guard". It is called the "Local Forces" or "Local Defence Companies" (Maakuntajoukot in Finnish) and the strength is about 5000 reservists.
It seems RUclips didn´t like the link. So here´s the press release (yeah, it´s long):
Finnish Defence Forces to develop mortar mobility by a new system
Army
Publication date: 29.10.2024 12.05
Press release
In the Army, a project is underway to develop mortar mobility by a new, modular and mobile 120mm mortar M3 weapon system.
The Army has developed in co-operation with the Finnish Defence Forces’ Logistics Command and Patria Land a new, heavy M3 mortar system (M3 denotes Modular Mobile Mortar), the pre-series of which will be procured by the FDF Logistics Command from Patria Land. The new mortars will be delivered to the Army during 2025. The total value of the procurement will be EUR 4,7 million excluding VAT.
Heavy mortars are used to provide support for forces in combat. In the future, the role of mortars will become more prominent as the forces’ organic heavy fire units of indirect fire.
The new weapon system will be fitted and mounted onto a vehicle top from which a request for fire will be executed directly, resulting in increased mortar mobility. The system will utilise the already existing barrel and battle management system that have been integrated to the module with magazine, recoil mechanism and inertial navigation system. The module allows fires from practically all standard container-lock-fitted vehicles. In case of vehicle malfunction, the module can be transfered to another vehicle to continue mission execution.
The mortar remains ready for fire direction without specific preparations in all types of soil, and its firing capacity equals at least that of a towed mortar. Finnish-made with security of supply for its components and sparts, the weapon system is easy to operate and cost-efficient.
- The new M3 system will improve our forces’ mobility, protection, and effectiveness. The development of the system sets an example of co-operation that has advanced quickly all the way from concept generation, to prototype test fires, to testing the system, to pre-series requirement specifications, to its operational concepts and tactics. The pre-series systems to be procured will be fielded for use case experiences, and the decisions concerning possible additional acquisitions will be made at a later point in time. The objective is to start conscript training using the new mortars during 2026, says Inspector of Infantry, Colonel Ari Lehmuslehti from the Army Command.
Movement and maneuver are decisive
The development of mortar mobility is threat-driven. An unfortified mortar has no protection to counter air-to-ground threats, and it remains easily detectable while conducting a request for fire. Modern weapon locating radars are almost immediately able to track and calculate the start point for a trajectory of a mortar projectile. A firing position may also be identifiable from the air by, among other, satellites or drones even in case of no fires from a firing position. Also, engaging targets at long range will not alone provide protection.
An efficient technique for threat-reduction is to execute a request for fire rapidly at a non-prepared firing position and to relocate immediately after firing. Good tactical movement and maneuver will also compensate for projectile ranges. A vehicle-fitted mortar system allows executing the request for fire closer to the target and enables relocating after mission completion.
I think Norway will get the Himars buddy, The US got an agency called The Defense and security cooperation agency, very transparent, and Norway has a request on there for Himars and various missile pods, its for 16 Himars units+missile pods and other related equipment, US agency estimate the cost to be 580 mn USD. Also happy to see my country(SE) getting this capability finally, should be before 2030, we also need medium/long-range cruise missiles(should also be before 2030), RBS 15 MK IV is said to be able to strike land targets as well, and there will be new mobile/truck mounted launchers for this in the future, so that would be 3 ways to conduct precision strikes.
Did manowar have song warriors of the north?
The group would also include Ireland under the Nordic group within the EU battle groups..
👍👍👍
DanFinSveNor - SveDanNorFin - NorSveFinDan - FinNorSveDan -
The row rim doesn't matter as long as we stand together
Look closely at reality - and you will find
that it is wednesday - every day - and Valhalla is forever...
The vikingss
Did notice some errors on the swedish future strengt at 11:29 its lower than what is already and dont cover future growth
Maybe not including decision made the last year or so??? or maybe mainly based on wikipedia??
The homeguard right now is 22000 men and women in 40 homeguardsbataljones but size and goal of them are changing, the core is now the strikecompany for more combatcapability around 17000 of the guard are organised in those.
the plan is for 26000 minimum homeguard at 2030 , most think they reach those numbers at 2027
A couple of thousands here or there doesn't matter.
The North stand together! We will protect eachother from all kind of enemies to keep our freedom.
Yah we Are Stronger together🇸🇪🇳🇴🇫🇮🇩🇰💪
Blessed by odim and Ragnar😅
As a hearty humble Sisu Finn! Swedes has a lot to prove! Beeing behind the skirts of the rest nordic countries so long!
So long? It barly been two decades, that's a blink of an eye in politics.
It looks funny to me. History repeating itself in these numbers. Others in nordic countries will fight to the bitter end. In history it was when the last Finnish guy in their armies is dead. We have a quite old saying that "Sweden will fight to the last Finn". I am just joking of course, so before someone will get their panties too far up their butt, please chill.
Good video and it is really nice to see that the nordics are getting the Kalmar back!
outsourcing arms production is never a good idea. The Swedes understood this. We Danes unfortunately outsourced to Spain and suffer for it.
Wouldn't it have been better if the new command center had been located on a very remote, difficult to conquer mountain in southern Norway? Why have this center close to Russia? What if it falls?
@@Hermania3000 It won't fall.
You cant conquer Finland.
It'll be behind 200kms of lakes and swamps with 800.000 Finns ready to defend it. The issue with Southern Norway is that it is not that far from the coast in any direction, the conglomeration between Finland-Sweden-Norway is vast, cold, wet and has very few roads. Russia tried in that territory before and got stopped by very few Finns on skis. Also the presence there is close to Russia's Northern Fleet, probably also part of the equation.
@@MilitaryRated Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Southern Norway is indeed not that far from the coast, but you also emphasize the closeness to Russa's Northern Fleet as "probably part of the equation" - shouldn't that closeness be a problem, then? And the Finns on skis would not be there on skis if the HQ were to be attacked in the summer (which I guess is the most likely scenario).
I still find the location up there, close to Russia, to be somewhat odd, and being 1000m deep inside a (Norwegian?) mountain seems safer. For that reason, the NATO HQ North is located inside a mountain in Stavanger, Norway (not even in the center of Norway, but by the coast).
@@Hermania3000 It's probably the reason why I'm not making the decisions, eh? I'm sure there are good arguments for most countries, in Finland it'll likely be in one hell of a bunker too, Finland have some awesome nuclear-safe bunker systems in their whole country, it's part of Finnish law that all new builds need to fortify the lower levels. In my mind, I'd personally love if it was in Norway rather than Rovaniemi where I tend to get eaten by mosquitoes the size of your hand (I do love you Finns, I just don't like being eaten alive while looking down a scope), but it appears that Finland is getting this one, and Norway is likely getting the air-command centre.
It's probably also got to do with Finland having the bulk of the land army out of the four, while the other three are more specialized in the other branches.
The Nordic countries have everything, resources, strong armies, social care, strong principles, only a shame they let in so many migrants
The time has come for the Nordic countries to unite for the first time in history with common external borders and a common army, navy and air force.
It is urgent to think and act quickly.
In Denmark, we are saddled with the most inept politicians in history. Our navy has dummy guns and most recently we have bought useless Israeli artillery for a staggering amount - enough to throw out to all the pipes and cables in the Baltic Sea... and all this despite the fact that Norway and especially Sweden have everything we need use.
We need to unite our defenses and also have a joint police force geared to act on international and multicultural crime.
The US has begun the early stages of taking over Greenland... yes, Danish politicians have even just completed an airport so that the Americans can fly to Greenland in 4 hours! A self-built Trojan horse for DKK 1 billion.
As every Scandinavian man says to himself when he looks out over mountains, rivers and fjords... "Hva i helvete er det dere driver med? Dere aner ikke hvor mye vi har slitt å bygge dette landet!
As a Dane Sorry!!!!
Even I don't get why "we" made that pick in artillery platform(s).
And the finns chose F-35. It's ok, you make other smart choices 😘
Denmark-Norway-Finland
Has been fighting side by side on the Eastern Front in ww2
All northern countries are the same people same lifestyle
Only difference is the language😆