Local forces’ specialist competence to be developed in co-operation with other authorities in Mighty Stronghold 25

The Armoured Brigade will lead the local defence exercise Mighty Stronghold 25 in areas of Pirkanmaa, Päijät-Häme, Central Finland, and Kanta-Häme during 1-5 September 2025. The exercise will be participated by units from the Armoured Brigade, Air Force, and Logistics Command Headquarters, as well as by a number of authorities and co parties. Exercise activity will concentrate on the area of Pirkanmaa and Hattula. The strength of the training audience force will be up to c. 700 personnel and 50 vehicles. The exercise will be commanded by Deputy Commander of the Armoured Brigade, Colonel Tero Koljonen.

Comprehensive security by means of collective preparedness

In the training exercise, local defence forces will be developed for needs of national defence. Providing nationwide coverage, the local defence network is tasked with increasingly demanding missions in combat operation, supporting the alliance’s troops, and safeguarding society’s critical functions. The objective of the exercise is to develop the local forces’ specialist competence in co-operation with authorities, the business sector, collaborating parties, and other military forces in the region. 

The exercise Mighty Stronghold 25 will involve, among other, Central Finland Police Department, Pirkanmaa Rescue Department, Tampere University Hospital TAYS, Police University College, Regional State Administrative Agency for Western and Inland Finland, Pirkanmaa Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment, Pirkanmaa Wellbeing Services County, City of Tampere, Council of Tampere Region, Ylöjärvi, Hämeenkyrö, Virrat, Akaa, Nokia, Mänttä-Vilppula, Tampereen Vesi, Tampereen Energia, Business Tampere, Fingrid, Nokian Vesi, Elenia, Finnish Red Cross, YLE, and a number of educational establishments in the region.

-At the heart of the local defence exercise Mighty Stronghold 25 will be collective preparedness of the Armoured Brigade’s local units in co-operation with authorities, the business sector, and other collaborating parties in the area of Pirkanmaa, Päijät-Häme, Central Finland, and Kanta-Häme in the event of disruptions in society. Local units have increasingly demanding tasks in safeguarding society’s critical functions, says Exercise Director, Colonel Tero Koljonen.

Follow the exercise in Tampere

On Thursday 4 September, an opportunity will be provided to follow the local forces, authorities, and other collaboration exercise in an event open to the public at Pellavantori in Tampere at 09-10. On the site, counter-special force operation will be trained as a case rehearsal drill in co-operation with Central Finland Police Department, Pirkanmaa Rescue Department, and Finnish Red Cross.  

Over the course of the week, training audience forces will undertake training in Tampere, Ylöjärvi, Lempäälä, and Hattula, as well as at cordoned-off training exercise areas. During the exercise, training audience vehicles and equipment may at times be observed on roads while on the move. The exercise will involve the Utti Jaeger Regiment’s helicopter flight activity.

Mighty Stronghold 25 is part of the Army-led entity of local defence exercises held twice a year across Finland.

Follow the exercise on social media with #MightyStronhgold25, #paikallispuolustajat, and #PSPR.
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