NATO is conducting military exercises just 30km from the Finnish Russian border amid a major escalation of drone activity in NATO territory.
"Northern Star" tactical training at the Vuosanka training ground in Kajaani, central Finland, involves seven NATO allies: the Finnish defence forces, the US, Poland, the UK, France, Italy and Hungary. Over several months, around 9,000 personnel will train in difficult High North terrain populated by dense forestry with temperatures as low as -20°C in winter.
The allied troops are simulating combat and rapid-deployment scenarios, with live-fire artillery, infantry, and helicopter drills including heavy-lift American chinook military helicopters working alongside battle tanks to move troops and equipment across adverse conditions.
Alongside traditional military capabilities, a key focus of Northern Star is NATO’s "Eastern Flank Deterrence Initiative" (EFDI) which envisions “an autonomous zone” where unmanned systems can operate, similar to the concept of a so-called “drone wall" or "networked drone swarms."
The EDFI also involves a strong troop presence, including multinational battle groups, to be deployed in moments of ambush or in the event of a serious threat.
