Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Pasi Välimäki was on a visit to Türkiye from September 7 to 9, 2026, at the invitation of Commander of the Land Forces of Türkiye, General Metin Tokel. During the visit, the commanders discussed co-operation between the land forces of Finland and Türkiye, and agreed on actionable next steps.
Discussions involved, among other, participation in FLF FIN -activity, training exercise co-operation, and exchange of competence and experiences relating to fields of expertise beneficial to both countries, such as cold weather training, unmanned systems, and counter-UAS operating. The commanders also exchanged views on the security situation in their vicinities, and relating common concerns.
During the visit, Lieutenant General Välimäki met Chief of the General Staff, General Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu, visited the special force command, and familiarised with training. Additionally, he also examined planning and command and control of employment of unmanned systems at a UAV brigade.
– Discussions concerning land forces’ development and training co-operation have been very useful. We discussed possible participation of Türkiye in FLF FIN -activity, and also our special conditions in particular, as well as equipment and kit, and required capabilities. Land Forces of Türkiye are undertaking a significant modernisation programme that is largely based on their national defence industrial base. We also discussed opportunities for materiel and armaments co-operation. This will be a good basis for continuing and extending work at staff and expert level, Lieutenant General Välimäki says.
