NATO’s Dynamic Front exercise Photo: Reuters.
On 4 November, the first large-scale NATO exercise Dynamic Front began in Finland, symbolising the strengthening of the military partnership with the Alliance after Finland joins in 2023. The event will be held in Rovaniemi and will also cover other countries, including Estonia, Germany, Poland and Romania, creating a network of joint live-fire and training ranges. Timeukraineisrael reports this with reference to the official website of the US government.
The exercise will involve more than 5,000 troops from 28 NATO and partner nations, including Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Kosovo, Latvia, Lithuania, North Macedonia, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States. Participants will use more than 130 different weapons systems, from artillery systems to air and naval weapons.
NATO integration and interoperability
According to Major General John Rafferty, Commander of the 56th Artillery Command, which is leading the exercise, Dynamic Front is a platform for improving artillery interoperability between NATO and Allied nations. The general noted that the exercise is aimed at practising multidisciplinary operations, including artillery, air and naval fire, based on NATO’s regional plans. The exercises will take place at ranges from Finland in the north to Romania in the south. This is a unique opportunity for the Finnish military to demonstrate its defence capabilities and adaptation to NATO standards, which is happening for the first time since joining NATO.
A key element of the exercise is the Artillery Systems Cooperation Association (ASCA) system, which allows participants to exchange information, target data and work schedules in a standardised manner, enabling any sensor to provide information to any shooter, ensuring a high level of coordination.
Key participants in the exercise
The exercise brings together strategically important US and NATO units: U.S. Army Europe and Africa, U.S. Army 56th Artillery Command, U.S. Army V Corps, 21st Sustainment Theater Command, 41st Field Artillery Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, 1st Cavalry Division, 4th Security Assistance Force Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division, as well as the Finnish Army and NATO multinational units, including the Rapid Reaction Corps.
“The Dynamic Front demonstrates Finland’s ability to cooperate effectively with its allies and meet NATO standards.
