Finland’s Ambassador to NATO Klaus Korhonen, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg and Sweden’s Ambassador to NATO Axel Wernhoff.

US to Gain Access to
15 Military Bases in Finland
The Defense Post

(December 18, 2023) — Finland will sign a defense agreement this week giving the United States access to 15 military bases in NATO’s newest member, the Finnish defense ministry said on Friday.

“The Defence Cooperation Agreement (DCA) is to be signed in Washington DC” on Monday by Defence Minister Antti Hakkanen and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, the foreign affairs ministry said.

The treaty must then be approved by the Nordic country’s parliament.

“The DCA will strengthen Finland’s defence because it enables the presence and training of US forces and the prepositioning of defence material in the territory of Finland,” the foreign ministry continued. “It will also support the implementation of NATO’s deterrence and defence.”

Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen will be present in Washington during the signing to meet Blinken.

The United States signed a similar pact with Sweden on December 6 that gives Washington access to 17 military bases. [See story below — EAW]

Concerns raised by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 led both Finland and Sweden to abandon their long-standing military non-alignment and apply for NATO membership.

Finland joined in April, while Sweden is still waiting for its bid to be ratified by NATO members Hungary and Turkey.

US to Get Access to 17 Swedish Military
Facilities After Inking New Defense Deal
Sputnik Globe

(June 12, 2023) — According to a press release from the State Department, the United States and Sweden have reached a defense cooperation agreement. This deal will be in effect both before and after Stockholm’s NATO entry is finalized.

Under the new Defense Cooperation Agreement (DCA) with Sweden, the US will now be granted access to military facilities at 17 Swedish locations throughout the Scandinavian country.

“On December 5, the United States and Sweden signed a Defense Cooperation Agreement,” the release said on Tuesday. “This agreement… will empower our two countries to expand our close security partnership, enhance our cooperation in multilateral security operations, and strengthen transatlantic security together. By design, the DCA will apply seamlessly before and after Sweden’s accession to the NATO Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA).”

There are several military bases spread out across Sweden. In the north, bases are located in Kiruna, Ostersund, and Lulea. To the southwest, Halmstad hosts another base. In the south, Ronneby is home to yet another military base. Additionally, there are bases on the island of Gotland and the Berga naval base is situated in proximity to the Stockholm archipelago.

US Bombers Debut on
Swedish Soil in Historic Drill
Sputnik Globe

(June 20, 2023) — The deal grants the US Armed Forces access to various military facilities such as training grounds, camps, ports, airbases, and airports. However, its implementation is contingent upon approval from the Swedish parliament.

Furthermore, the legislature will be required to address constitutional amendments required for executing the treaty. These amendments will be subject to discussions scheduled for 2024.

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