International special forces exercises involving military personnel from Europe and the United States begin in Finland.
The exercises, called "Southern Griffin 25", will take place from August 25 to September 12 and will be conducted by the "Utti Jaeger" regiment. About 1,600 people will participate in them. The exercises will be held throughout Finland: on land, in the air and at sea.
They will practice the joint operational capabilities of NATO special forces in the conditions of Northern Europe.
The exercises will involve NH90 transport helicopters, MD500 light helicopters from the Utti Jaeger regiment and fighter jets F/A-18 Hornet of the Finnish Air Force. Aircraft from the armed forces of European countries and the United States are also expected to participate in the maneuvers.
The Finnish Defense Forces announced on August 6 that the United States will actively participate in exercises in the country and the Baltic Sea region in the second half of the year and will strengthen its presence there. In this way, Helsinki and Washington are implementing a defense cooperation agreement, according to which the American side has received access to 15 military facilities in Finland.