Swedish Armed Forces Chief Michael Claesson visits Finnish counterpart Janne Jaakkola during Karelia Brigade exercise

The Chief of the Swedish Armed Forces, Michael Claesson, is visiting his Finnish counterpart, Commander Janne Jaakkola, during an exercise at the Karelia Brigade, which involves 2,700 conscripts. The goal of the visit is to deepen cooperation and to familiarize Swedish soldiers with areas where they may engage if Russia were to attack Finland.

Claesson emphasized that Sweden’s commitments will encompass Finnish terrain as well. Both countries’ defense leaders noted that Russia currently has nearly its entire army deployed in Ukraine. Jaakkola described the situation on the ground opposite the Finnish border as “quite empty,” with the majority of Russian forces concentrated in Ukraine, although he acknowledged Russian statements about rebuilding military strength behind the border.

Following an end to the conflict in Ukraine, both leaders anticipate that Russia could quickly rebuild its military capacity to pose a threat to NATO, estimating a timeframe of two to three years for significant rearmament.

Claesson stated that Swedish troops could be deployed in Finland “within days,” especially with parts of their standing forces. The Finnish military has robust capabilities, able to mobilize nearly 300,000 soldiers, compared to Sweden’s 60,000. During the Karelia Brigade exercise, readiness units, made up of specially selected conscripts, trained to respond rapidly, including with the K9 howitzer.

Jaakkola described Finland’s military readiness as aligned with the current security situation, highlighting that as a mobilization army, Finland can rapidly adjust its readiness.