Finnish Army’s mechanised exercise Arrow 18

The Armoured Brigade will lead the Finnish Army’s mechanised exercise Arrow 18 in Pohjankangas, Niinisalo, from 7 to 18 May 2018.

The training objective of this exercise is to train joint interoperability between Army’s mechanised units and service branches as part of mechanised units’ offensive as well as in joint firing. The exercise will also involve training synchronised cooperation between command levels, complemented by forward air control and Air Force close air support. The exercise also aims at enhancing interoperability in cooperation with foreign detachments.

Apart from the participating Finnish training units, this exercise will bring to Finland the US Army Europe (USAREUR) 2nd Cavalry Regiment’s mechanised infantry, an armoured fighting vehicle combat team from the Marine Corps Forces Europe and Africa (MARFOREUR/AF), and an intelligence platoon from the Norwegian Armed Forces.

An annually organised event, the Finnish Army’s mechanised exercise concentrates on mechanised units’ offensive and involves Army helicopter measures as well as Air Force flight activities. The exercise is implemented in the framework of a simulator-assisted combat exercise as well as firing exercise.

Finnish Army personnel and conscripts participating in the exercise will include troops from the Armoured Brigade, Pori Brigade, Karelia Brigade, Nyland Brigade, Jaeger Brigade, Utti Jaeger Regiment, and the Army Academy, with the total strength of 3,200 at its most. Altogether approximately 150 armoured vehicles and 300 other vehicles will be part of the exercise. The exercise will be led by Commander of the Armoured Brigade, Colonel Kari Nisula.