Finland Seeks Greater Regional Collaboration

Finland is considering sending several jets to help Nordic Defense Cooperation (NORDEFCO) forces monitor Iceland's airspace for a few weeks out of the year, beginning in 2015. A final decision on the matter will be made sometime during 2012.

Helsinki has hesitated to increase its military cooperation in the north because it does not want to damage its economic relationship with Moscow. Although Finland's participation in the air surveillance mission for Iceland is still uncertain, the current Finnish government's position indicates stronger political will for regional collaboration among the Nordic countries. This latest announcement could affect Finland's economic ties with Russia, since Moscow is concerned about the increasing defense cooperation in the region and wants to make sure that Finland does not become too involved with Western defense alliances.