Finland has joined a French initiative to strengthen nuclear deterrence in Europe and expand defense cooperation between Helsinki and Paris.
The move follows confidential talks between the two countries, which have now issued a joint statement confirming Finland’s participation.
Helsinki will decide how quickly and extensively it becomes involved.
Finnish and French officials will initially discuss the framework for cooperation before negotiating specific activities.
These could include discussions on France’s nuclear doctrine and Finnish involvement in exercises, either as an observer or by contributing conventional military forces.
At a later stage, France could temporarily deploy elements of its strategic air forces to Finland.
Finnish Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen said the initiative would strengthen Finland’s security and support a greater European role in conventional and nuclear defense.
‘Forward Deterrence Plan’
French President Emmanuel Macron launched the initiative in March, alongside plans to expand France’s nuclear arsenal and potentially deploy nuclear-armed aircraft to allied countries for the first time.
Norway, Germany, Poland, Sweden, the UK, the Netherlands, Belgium, Greece, and Denmark agreed to participate in what Macron called a “forward” nuclear deterrence scheme.
Participating countries could temporarily host elements of France’s strategic air forces or contribute conventional forces to French nuclear exercises.
Germany and France have already established a nuclear steering group and agreed to begin practical cooperation, including joint drills.
Separate From NATO Deterrence
The initiative will not replace NATO’s nuclear deterrence, which relies on US extended deterrence and the alliance’s nuclear-sharing arrangements.
Unlike NATO’s collective defense system, participation does not create mutual defense obligations for the countries involved.
France will also not ask them to help cover the cost of maintaining its nuclear arsenal.
French nuclear weapons will remain under Paris’ exclusive control, including decisions concerning their potential use to protect France’s vital interests.
Paris’s nuclear doctrine will also retain its defensive character and remain subject to international agreements, including the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.
