Last June, Allied countries’ defence ministers gave their political backing to establishing Multi-Corps Land Component Command (MCLCC) in Finland. This backing was consolidated at the Washington Summit. The new MCLCC would operate under the command of the Joint Force Command Norfolk (JFCNF).
Finland expressed its interest in accommodating Multi-Corps Land Component Command on its territory in the beginning of this year, and was backed by the Allies. According to the Commander of the Finnish Defence Forces, General Janne Jaakkola, the Defence Forces are well prepared to continue with planning and implementation of the integration:
- The new Multi-Corps Land Component Command placed in Finland, along with the Finland’s national capabilities, strengthens the land defence command and control in all security situations. The new command enables planning, command and control of Allied forces’ operations in Northern areas in all security situations. Placing the new Land Component Command in close proximity to the Finnish Army Command fosters cooperation between the national and the Allies’ forces, creating obvious synergy benefits, General Jaakkola says.
The first step would be to establish the Core Staff Element. This would be composed of the Land Component Command Staff. Finland is prepared to assign staff to this multinational core element. The Finnish Army and the Finnish Army Command would keep on working for national defence, and some tasks would be integrated in the work of the new Command.
- Command and control of the Nato Allies’ land forces as well as integration of operations of the national Armies in the North would benefit a great deal from the establishment of the Land Component Command in the North. In peace time, the new component command's tasks would include planning, preparation, command and control of the Allies’ joint exercises. In wartime, this Component Command would plan, command and control land operations and defence in the North. Finland has an important role in this cooperation. Finnish reservists, too, are important in this organization, says Commander of the Finnish Army, Lieutenant General Pasi Välimäki.
