During this spring, France conducted its first extended deployment to Finland, sending approximately 180 soldiers from the 27e Brigade d’Infanterie de Montagne. The mountain troops arrived at the end of February and departed at the beginning of June. French and Finnish soldiers exchanged expertise and significantly enhanced their capability to fight together in Nordic conditions.

All brigade-level units of the Army will rehearse joint operating with allied countries’ contingents in the course of May. Several exercises executed simultaneously are aimed at strengthening the Army’s defence capability across Finland, conscripts’ know-how and joint operating with Allies. During the spring, a total of approximately 19,000 allied soldiers from Finland, Estonia, Lithuania, Norway, France, United Kingdom, United States, Italy, Hungary and Poland will take part in the exercises.

The exercise, taking place in June 2-28 2026, is part of the cooperation between the Karelia Brigade and the Virginia National Guard under the official partnership program between Finland and Virginia National Guard.

The exercise will be visible in Kerava, Helsinki, Sipoonkorpi, and Vantaa. Activities related to the exercise will take place at all times of the day, both in the terrain and in built-up areas within properties which has been reserved in advance.