By Smartencyclopedia Newsroom*
The Finnish Air Force is set to assume a leading role in this year’s Arctic Challenge Exercise (ACE 23), starting from Monday. The highly anticipated fighter jet training event will take place in multiple locations including Rovaniemi and Pirkkala in Finland, Luleå in Sweden, and Ørland in Norway. ACE 23 stands as one of Europe’s largest air exercises, spanning from its commencement until June 9.
Approximately 3,000 troops from 14 different countries will participate in the exercise. Alongside the three Nordic hosts, Denmark, Belgium, Canada, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States will also contribute to their armed forces.
Throughout the exercise, the skies over northern parts of Finland, Norway, and Sweden will witness the sights and sounds of fighter jets as they engage in two sorties per day from Monday to Friday, between 9 am and 6 pm.
A total of around 150 aircraft are expected to take part in ACE 23, with Finland’s contribution consisting of twelve F/A-18 Hornet multi-role fighters, as well as liaison and transport aircraft.
This year’s event marks the sixth ACE jointly hosted by the Finnish, Swedish, and Norwegian Air Forces. Held every two years since 2013, these exercises are conducted within the framework of the Nordefco alliance, which promotes cooperation among the Nordic nations.
Ground Forces Exercises in Finnish Lapland
The international exercises will also bring thousands of ground troops to Rovajärvi in Finnish Lapland. Although not all troops will be present simultaneously, an estimated 8,000 personnel will have visited Finnish Lapland over a three-week period.
These exercises follow two other major drills recently held in the region. The Lightning Strike 23 exercise concluded on Saturday, while the Northern Forest 23 exercise commenced on the same day and will continue until Friday, June 2.
Additionally, various military drills and exercises occurred across Finland and its waters over the past weekend, involving thousands of troops.
Protest Group Voices Criticism
The Lapland Peace Committee, known as Lapin Rauhanpuolustajat in Finnish, plans to hold a demonstration against the military exercises in the center of Rovaniemi on Monday afternoon.
The committee’s secretary, Tapio Siirilä, stated concerns about the significant consumption of fossil fuels and subsequent greenhouse gas emissions during the ACE exercise. He pointed out that the emissions from 150 warplanes are equivalent to those of more than nine million passenger cars. The association also expressed worries about increased mistrust and potential confrontations between countries as a result of the exercises.
The Lapland Peace Committee opposes Finland’s membership in NATO and criticizes the United States’ participation in military exercises on Finnish soil. However, Siirilä emphasized that their stance does not mean acceptance of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Source: With Agencies