Commander of the Finnish Army on official Visit to France

The Commander of the Finnish Army, Lieutenant General Pasi Välimäki, visited France this week. The visit was hosted by the Commander of the French Army, General Pierre Schill. The commanders discussed various topics, including the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) peacekeeping operation, the ongoing situation in Ukraine, and FLF in Finland.

During the visit, Lieutenant General Välimäki was briefed on the operations of the French Army. He visited the Military Governor of Marseilles, the 27th Mountain Infantry Brigade, and its subordinate unit, the 93rd Mountain Artillery Regiment. Additionally, he visited the French Artillery School in Canjuers.

Cooperation between the Finnish and French Armies, particularly in the field of mountain warfare, is advancing seamlessly. The northern environment is familiar to both forces, with the 27th Mountain Infantry Brigade having participated in the Nordic Response 24 exercise in March 2024, and the 93rd Mountain Artillery Regiment for the Dynamic Front 25 exercise in Lapland in November 2024.

French mountain units are well-equipped to operate in highly variable and harsh conditions. In mountainous terrain and extreme cold weather, mastering individual and team skills is crucial, as they form the foundation for survival in demanding environments. The French Army is also focusing on the development of advanced technologies to enhance battlefield operations. During the visit, the delegation was informed about the ongoing tests of loitering weapons.

The French and Finnish Armies are looking to expand their collaboration in the near future, with the objective of improving the defense capabilities of both nations across a variety of operational environments.