Finland and the United States signed a Defense Cooperation Agreement

19 December, 2023 Illustrative photo of servicemen of the Finnish Defence Forces. Photo from open sources. The Government of the United States and the Government of Finland signed a Defense Cooperation Agreement.

The ceremony was held at the U.S. Department of State on Monday, December 18. The agreement formalizes closer ties between the two countries following Finland's accession to NATO on April 4, 2023, when it became the Alliance's 31st member.

Within the agreement, which is yet to be approved by the Finnish parliament, the Pentagon will be able to deploy troops and weapons and conduct exercises in Finland. This will no longer require approvals at the same high level as before. However, a permanent US military base in the country is not expected.

The U.S. military will be able to use four Finnish air bases, one naval base, and a number of other military facilities.

Antti Hakkanen. Photo from the politician's page

During the ceremony in Washington, Defense Minister Antti Hakkanen welcomed the signing of the agreement as "a strong sign of the US commitment to the defense of Finland and all of Northern Europe." "Today, we are further strengthening our security ties by signing the Defense Cooperation Agreement," U.S.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken noted. He emphasized that the new agreement will enable the military of both countries to cooperate more effectively and efficiently.

Antony Blinken. Photo from open sources

Negotiations on a Defense Cooperation Agreement between the United States and Finland concluded in October 2023.

It is worth noting that this month, the United States also signed a Defense Cooperation Agreement with Sweden, and next week, it plans to sign a similar document with Denmark.

Production of 155 mm shells at the Scranton Army Ammunition Plant in the United States.

March 2023.

Photo credits: The Washington Post

As previously reported, Finland will double its ammunition production to help Ukraine.