Local defence exercises to develop joint readiness
The Army will exercise local defence during 20.2.–6.3.2026. The series of exercises will be participated by altogether up to c. 3,500 soldiers, a number of other authorities, as well as business sector organisations from across Finland.
The local defence exercises this spring will develop the local forces’ and local defence network’s readiness for national defence needs. Exercising jointly with authorities and organisations will strengthen joint capability for safeguarding society’s critical functions in all situations. Accounting for specific characteristics of different regions, exercising will develop operating on the local level to secure comprehensive total defence.
In NATO, the concept of local defence is unique, and in very concrete terms reinforces Finland’s comprehensive total defence by convening authorities and organisations to consider selected topics.
The local defence exercises will be participated by up to c. 3,500 conscripts, reservists, and service personnel from the Finnish Defence Forces. Army troops and vehicles will be on the move in the exercise area’s cities during weeks 9 and 10.
Exercises in the spring
Northern Stone 26
The Kainuu Brigade -led Northern Stone 26 -local defence exercise will develop the competence and capability of local forces, authorities and command echelons in disruption incidents requiring multi-agency co-operating. Alongside the Kainuu Brigade, the exercise will be participated by the Finnish Defence Forces’ troops from the Jaeger Brigade, 3. Logistics Regiment, and Centre for Military Medicine.
- Date: 20.–27.2.2026
- Exercise area: Northern Ostrobothnia
- Troops: c. 630 persons
- Other participants: Economic Development Centre of Northern Finland, Oulu Police Department, Customs, City of Oulu, Municipality of Tyrnävä, Wellbeing Services County of North Ostrobothnia, Rescue Department of North Ostrobothnia, West Finland Coast Guard District, Port Authority of Oulu, and National Emergency Supply Agency. Additionally, the exercise will be participated by other key regional and local operators and actors including FINGRID, Oulu Waterworks, Oulu Energy, National Defence Association, Voluntary Rescue Service VAPEPA, Finnish Red Cross, as well as Evangelical Lutheran Church in Oulu.
- Exercise Director: Lieutenant Colonel Marko Leppänen
Lively Stone 26
The Guard Jaeger Regiment’s Lively Stone 26 -local defence exercise will be held during 1.–6.3.2026 in Uusimaa. The exercise will develop the capability for defending Uusimaa and the capital region in co-operation with other agencies and actors. The exercise also marks the final exercise for conscripts undertaking training for rank-and-file tasks as military police, intelligence specialists, and in special tasks to muster out into the reserve. From the Finnish Defence Forces, the exercise will be participated alongside the Guard Jaeger Regiment also by the Coastal Brigade, Naval Academy, FDF C5 Agency, as well as 1. and 2. Logistics Regiment.
- Date: 1.–6.3.2026
- Exercise area: Region of Uusimaa, the capital region
- Troops: c. 900 personnel
- Other participants: West Uusimaa Police Department, Rescue Department, HUS Group, City of Espoo, Municipality of Kirkkonummi, City of Lohja, City of Hanko, City of Helsinki, and corporations in the area
- Exercise Director: Colonel Jussi Annala
Mighty Stone 26
The Armoured Brigade -led Mighty Stone 26 will develop inter-authority co-operation on the field and at joint planning desks. From the Finnish Defence Forces, the exercise will be participated by troops from the Armoured Brigade, Satakunta Air Wing, FDF C5 Agency, Air Force Academy, Defence Intelligence Agency, and Defence Research Agency.
- Date: 2.–6.3.2026
- Exercise area: Region of Pirkanmaa, Region of Päijät-Häme, Tavastia Proper, and Central Finland
- Troops: c. 450 personnel
- Other participants: Inland Finland Police Department, Rescue Department of Central Finland, Regional Council of Central Finland, Wellbeing County of Central Finland
- Exercise Director: Colonel Tero Koljonen
Kinetic Stone 26
The objective of the Pori Brigade -led Kinetic Stone 26 -exercise is to train conscripts and exercise service personnel in local defence missions such as securing targets, conducting area surveillance, and providing executive inter-agency assistance to another authority, as well as to develop local defence execution in co-operation with other authorities of the area. Alongside the Pori Brigade, the exercise will be participated by troops from the Armoured Brigade, Karelia Brigade, Nyland Brigade, and Coastal Fleet.
- Date: 27.2.–6.3.2026
- Exercise area: Southwest Finland, Region of Satakunta
- Troops: c. 400 personnel
- Other participants: Authorities and actors of the area, City of Loimaa
- Exercise Director: Colonel Vesa Helminen
Karelian Stone 26
The objective of the Karelia Brigade -led Karelian Stone 26 -local defence exercise is to develop local forces’ competence in the region of South Karelia jointly with authorities, the business sector, and other co-operation partners. The exercise will be participated by troops from the Karelia Brigade, Army Academy, Utti Jaeger Regiment, Karelia Air Wing, 1. Logistics Regiment, FDF C5 Agency, Finnish Border Guard, as well as the Virginia National Guard.
- Date: 2.–6.3.2026
- Exercise area: South Karelia
- Troops: c. 1,100 personnel
- Other participants: City of Lappeenranta, City of Imatra, Municipality of Taipalsaari, Southeastern Finland Police Department, Rescue Department of South Karelia, Economic Development Centre of Southeastern Finland, Wellbeing County of Southeastern Finland, Fintraffic, South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences, and National Defence Association District of Southeastern Finland.
- Exercise Director: Colonel Ari Määttä
Tutustu paikallisturvallisuuden tekijöihin omalla alueellasi
During the local defence exercises, local residents will be provided an opportunity to familiarise with the exercises and mission essential equipment. The events are free for all.
- On 26.02.2026 at 17:00-19:00 at Tyrnävä municipality hall
- On 03.03.2026 at 14:00-17:00 at Espoo, Finnoo
- On 04.03.2026 at 14:00-18:00 at Loimaa market square
- On 04.03.2026 at 11:00-14:00 at Lappeenranta market square
Follow the exercises
#paikallisturvallisuus #paikallispuolustajat
