Sweden to take command of NATO Forward Land Force Finland

“NATO’s Forward Land Forces [FLF] in Finland is the Alliance’s foremost line of defense in the north,” says Swedish Colonel Daniel Rydberg, who will take command of the FLF with Sweden as a Framework Nation this summer. “We stand together with Finland and our allies to deter and defend in the High North.”

For the first time in its history, Sweden is set to serve as a Framework Nation within NATO, taking command of FLF Finland this summer. The establishment of the FLF is a concrete step to strengthen NATO’s collective defense in the High North and represents the greater amount of responsibility Sweden and Finland are taking on within the Alliance.

The multinational force will be a central part of NATO’s enhanced deterrence and defense in Northern Europe. Consisting of a core battalion battle group in Sweden and a permanent multinational staff element in Finland, the FLF will contribute to rapid deployment, multi-domain operations, and strengthened defense capabilities in the High North.

“This is an important mission, both for Sweden and NATO. Together, we will contribute to stability, deterrence and defense in a region of great strategic importance”, says Colonel Rydberg.

Strengthening NATO’s Presence in the High North
The buildup of FLF Finland begins with recruitment, staffing, planning, and infrastructure development. An important aspect is the continued development of the Norrbotten Brigade, located in Boden 80km south of the Arctic Circle, to ensure endurance while meeting the FLF’s readiness requirements. Finland, as the Host Nation, will establish a multinational staff in Rovaniemi, 250km northeast of Boden. Contributions from other countries to FLF Finland will be gradually developed within the framework of multinational cooperation.

“Initiating preparations with recruitment and the establishment of the command center is an important driving force in the continued development of the Norrbotten Brigade and our overall capability in the north”, says Daniel Rydberg.

The mission is clear: to lead the establishment of the multinational battle along NATO’s eastern border with Russia, which will strengthen NATO’s presence in the High North and contribute to improved situational awareness and the ability to rapidly reinforce defense capabilities.

Home Turf
Colon Rydberg remarked on the unique Arctic capabilities and experience Sweden brings to NATO: “With our background in the Norrbotten Brigade, we are accustomed to operating in terrain with limited road networks, severe cold, and deep snow—conditions that shape our training in an area that is our home turf. Our close cooperation with Finland enables us to quickly move from deployment in Boden across the border river and carry out tasks in northern Finland”

About Colonel Rydberg
Daniel Rydberg began his military service as a conscript at the Svea Life Guards in 1994. During his basic training, a strong commitment to the officer profession was formed, leading to officer training and a long career, with the majority of his service at the Life Guards Brigade in Kungsängen. In 2010, he served in Afghanistan. After serving as deputy head at the Operations Directorate’s executive department, he was appointed colonel in 2024 and commander of the Norrbotten Brigade, which will now carry out Sweden’s task within FLF Finland.