A NATO Multi-Corps Land Component Command Concept (MCLCC) has become operational in Finland, approximately 300 kilometers from Saint Petersburg.
The Finnish Ministry of Defence reported on this.
Operating starts with the strength of approximately 10 personnel. Over the next few years, the strength will increase up to c. 50 personnel. The MCLCC personnel will be from the Alliance’s member nations, including Finland.
The task of the MCLCC involves command and control of the Alliance’s land forces and synchronisation of national land forces’ operation in the Northern area.
This means, among other things, planning, preparing and directing the Alliance’s combined training exercise activity. In performing their work, the personnel will participate in the meetings and work both of the Army Command’s divisions and of the Alliance.
The deployment of NATO multinational forces in Finland was first announced back in February.
Recently, it was announced that the Finnish government has submitted a bill to parliament aimed at significantly increasing the country’s military reserve. The initiative proposes expanding the reserve by 125,000 personnel, which would substantially enhance Finland’s defense capabilities.
If the legislation is passed, the size of the Finnish army during wartime would exceed one million personnel by 2031 – making it the largest in the European Union.
