British soldiers are braving the frozen forests of northern Finland as they join forces with the Finnish Kainuu Brigade for Exercise Northern Axe, one of the earliest major training missions since Finland entered NATO.
The deployment underscores Britain’s continued leadership within the Alliance and its readiness to operate in some of the harshest environments on Earth.
Taking place in the remote Vuosanka training area, 30 miles from the Russian border, the exercise brings together around 3,000 soldiers and 600 military vehicles. Fifty soldiers from 3 Rifles C Company are training alongside Finnish partners, demonstrating the UK’s unwavering commitment to collective defence and the strengthening of NATO’s northern flank.
The British Army is long regarded as one of NATO’s most experienced expeditionary forces, and this Arctic undertaking reflects the United Kingdom’s determination to remain at the forefront of European security. Training in extreme climates ensures that British troops retain their reputation for adaptability, discipline and operational excellence, wherever and whenever they may be called upon.
Learning From a New Ally
3 Rifles Company Commander Major Henry Wootton emphasised the importance of building bonds with NATO’s newest member:
“This is important because we have lots to learn from each other, we learn how to manage the cold weather, bring in new skills and capabilities, and develop our overall operational capacity.”
Finland’s long standing national service system produces a highly capable reserve force, and British troops have been quick to recognise the professionalism of their hosts. Every year, the Kainuu Brigade trains two intakes of conscripts before they join a Reserve that can be mobilised rapidly in a crisis. An impressive 98 out of 100 Finnish conscripts say they are ready to defend their country if required.
Major Kari Sukkonen said:
“The will to defend your country is very high in Finland.
“As the Finnish military has just joined NATO, the strategic relationship is paramount, this exercise is the start of the relationship we plan to have going forward.”
This shared attitude toward defence is one reason the UK was one of the strongest champions of Finland’s NATO membership. A stable, secure northern Europe directly strengthens Britain’s own defence posture and extends the reach of NATO’s collective deterrence.
Captain Thomas Hunter of 3 Rifles said:
“As the Finnish military has just joined NATO, the strategic relationship is paramount, this exercise is the start of the relationship we plan to have going forward.”
Brigadier General Ari Laaksonen, leading the exercise, added:
“Since 2023 and our new partnership with NATO, we are able to enhance our interoperability, we are proud to host 3 Rifles and work together to support one another.”
The UK’s Arctic Expertise
Although Finland’s environment presents unfamiliar challenges, the United Kingdom has a proud history of cold weather operations. British troops have long conducted winter warfare training in Norway, and the Royal Marines are globally recognised specialists in Arctic warfare. Exercise Northern Axe gives 3 Rifles the opportunity to expand that expertise, solidifying Britain’s role as a key NATO contributor in the High North.
The UK’s increasing involvement in Arctic operations reflects a strategic priority. Recent years have seen heightened focus on the region due to shifting geopolitics, global energy interests and the need to protect sea routes vital to NATO’s collective security. By operating effectively in Finland’s sub zero conditions, British forces help ensure that the Alliance remains ready across all climates and terrains.
High Tech Tools Meet the Frozen Frontier
In addition to mastering the elements, British troops are testing advanced digital equipment such as the ATAK (Android Team Awareness Kit) system. This technology provides commanders with greater situational awareness and faster decision making, enhancing Britain’s battlefield advantage.
Major Wootton explained:
“ATAK allows us to provide information advantage to friendly forces, this means we can see exactly where all our men are on exercise, giving us great situational awareness, we can also identify boundaries of where our enemies are and find routes that are safe to operate in.”
Even with advanced technology, the Finnish winter remains a formidable opponent. Conditions can drop as low as minus 40 degrees Celsius, demanding exceptional resilience and mental toughness. Adapting to this climate ensures British soldiers retain the versatility that has defined the UK armed forces throughout their history.
Rifleman Aaron Hunter said:
“I was on observation posts last night, watching one of the enemy positions for 12 to 14 hours.
“We have loads of challenges working in this climate as a force that doesn’t operate in the snow much, and we need to take advantage of the opportunities we get.”
To keep up energy levels, soldiers rely on arctic ration packs containing around 5,000 calories a day. Simply staying warm can burn hundreds of calories in these conditions, and the physical strain of operating in deep snow adds further demands.
Rifleman James Whittingham said:
“Being on exercise in Finland is good, it’s challenging and cold, it’s about minus 2 degrees Celsius now, but we just did some training further north in Sodankyla where it was minus 28 degrees Celsius, so we’re getting used to it now.
“The Finns have also helped us with our skiing skills, being based in the UK, we don’t often get the chance to practise, so they’ve been giving us some pointers, they’re the professionals when it comes to cold weather.”
Strengthening a Strategic Bond
Exercise Northern Axe is not only enhancing military capability, it is deepening the relationship between two nations that share a commitment to freedom, democracy and collective defence. The United Kingdom has long played a central role in NATO, and Finland’s arrival in the alliance strengthens Europe at a critical time.
By training in Finland’s unforgiving winter landscape, British troops are proving once again why the UK remains one of NATO’s most dependable and capable contributors. Their readiness, professionalism and determination reflect a long standing tradition of service that continues to uphold Britain’s global leadership.
The British soldiers will complete their Arctic training in mid December, just as a new cohort of Finnish conscripts begins theirs. The cooperation forged in the snowy forests of the High North is set to become a cornerstone of a growing partnership, one that reinforces NATO’s strength and helps protect the security of the United Kingdom and its allies.
Main Image: MOD Crown Copyright News / Editorial Licence.
