Inside Finland’s first NATO mission with UK forces in show of strength to Putin

Edward R Arnold, senior research fellow at defence think tank Rusi, describes the missions as integral to monitoring Russian intent and movements across the alliance’s border. “They provide excellent opportunities for Nato air forces to ‘train as they fight’ together and allow nations to burden-share, lightening the load on individual national capabilities and aircrews,” he says. “Finland is incredibly important to air policing as their border neighbours the Kola Peninsula – the location of Russian strategic nuclear forces and Northern Sea Fleet, as such, it is a focal point of Russian military activity. Moreover, Finland’s participation in Nato missions over its territory is an important lever for Alliance deterrence – showing the Russian’s that Nato is prepared to exercise right up to its border.”