The UK has deployed hundreds of military personnel to Finland as part of a major NATO exercise, reinforcing the Alliance’s strength and readiness on its eastern front.
Exercise Northern Strike, held in Northern Finland, brings together thousands of troops from Finland, Sweden, and the UK in a powerful show of unity and capability. This large-scale exercise underscores NATO’s commitment to defending every inch of its territory, and highlights the UK’s central role within the Alliance.
British forces will contribute cutting-edge capabilities to the exercise. The Army’s AH64E Apache attack helicopters will conduct live-fire missions, deploying Hellfire missiles and 30mm cannon fire to simulate close air support for ground troops—including British infantry units.
Additionally, the British Army’s 3rd Regiment Royal Horse Artillery will operate the Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS), which has seen effective use in Ukraine. This marks the first time the UK has deployed MLRS in Europe alongside Apache helicopters, showcasing a powerful combination of precision firepower and mobility.
Minister for the Armed Forces, Luke Pollard MP, emphasized the importance of the operation:
“Exercise Northern Strike demonstrates our unshakeable commitment to NATO and highlights the key capabilities the UK brings to the Alliance. This government’s commitment to increasing defence spending to 2.5% of GDP from April 2027 ensures the UK’s strength and leadership.
From the skies over Poland, to the northern reaches of Finland, the UK is standing shoulder to shoulder with our allies in leading the way in defending NATO’s eastern flank. Working with our international partners is at the core of this government’s Plan for Change’.
This deployment is part of Operation RAZOREDGE, a broader effort to reinforce NATO’s eastern flank. The operation spans six countries and involves 13 exercises with participation from 13 NATO Allies. The UK has committed over 6,000 personnel across land, air, and sea—working alongside more than 16,500 troops from partner nations.
The UK’s Apache helicopters are operated by 4 Regiment Army Air Corps, and their presence not only strengthens NATO’s air power but also supports UK jobs. Maintenance and support are provided at the Army Aviation Centre in Hampshire and Suffolk, with 75 UK companies—33 of them small or medium-sized enterprises—supplying critical components.
This effort reflects the UK Government’s broader Plan for Change, placing national security and international cooperation at the heart of its agenda. By strengthening NATO and deepening partnerships, the UK ensures both its own safety and the collective strength of the Alliance. Photo by David Smith from Elimäki, Finland, Wikimedia commons.