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Finland to Strengthen NATO's Air Security with Its First Air Policing Mission in Iceland.
In February 2025, Finland, a new NATO member, will take a step in its commitment to collective security by participating for the first time in NATO’s air policing mission in Iceland. This deployment will involve four F/A-18 Hornet fighter jets and fifty personnel from the Finnish Air Force, reinforcing NATO’s presence in the strategically important High North. The mission highlights the collective solidarity among allies in a region of growing importance for European and transatlantic security.
Nordic cooperation also plays a key role, as Norway and Denmark have regularly participated in the mission (Picture source: Finnish MoD)
NATO’s air policing mission, a cornerstone of the Alliance’s peacetime operations, ensures the integrity of its members' airspace. Through constant surveillance, member states’ air forces are prepared to intercept unidentified or threatening aircraft. This mission differs from air shielding, which involves temporary reinforcements of air capabilities and exercises in NATO’s eastern regions.
Iceland, lacking its own air force, relies on NATO allies to provide aerial surveillance and interception capabilities. In January 2025, the Finnish Air Force will transport equipment and F/A-18 Hornets to Keflavík Air Base, located approximately 50 kilometers from Reykjavík, the Icelandic capital. Managed by the Icelandic Coast Guard under the oversight of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, this base plays a critical role in the island’s defense. Radar and communication systems across Iceland will provide essential support for the mission.
The Finnish deployment, led by the Lapland Air Wing, will include personnel from other Air Force units. Upon arrival, the aircraft will be equipped with suitable armaments, including air-to-air missiles, cannons, and countermeasures, ensuring effective airspace protection. These configurations are identical to those used for territorial surveillance and protection missions in Finland.
Before operations begin, NATO’s Combined Air Operations Centre (CAOC) in Uedem, Germany, will conduct a certification event in January to ensure the Finnish unit meets NATO standards. Starting in February, Finnish fighter jets will perform Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) duties for three weeks, working closely with Icelandic personnel at the Control and Reporting Centre in Keflavík.
Major General Timo Herranen, Commander of the Finnish Air Force, emphasized the strategic goals of this mission. In addition to contributing to NATO’s collective security, the deployment will enhance Finland’s integration into the Alliance and provide valuable experience in conducting multinational operations. Herranen noted that this mission continues Finland’s recent contributions to NATO, following deployments in Romania in 2024 and during the NATO Summit in Vilnius in 2023.
The geopolitical significance of the High North underscores the importance of this mission. Finland’s participation strengthens NATO’s presence in a region where security challenges, including Arctic navigation and airspace surveillance, are increasingly prominent. Nordic cooperation also plays a key role, as Norway and Denmark have regularly participated in the mission. Finland’s involvement complements these efforts, contributing to the shared objective of securing Icelandic airspace.
Beyond its security dimension, the mission reflects the evolving capabilities of the Finnish Air Force. Deploying a fighter detachment to an allied base demonstrates its ability to operate effectively in diverse environments. At the end of the mission in late February, the fighter jets will return to Finland, with the remaining equipment following in March.
This deployment in Iceland marks a critical milestone in Finland’s role within NATO, highlighting its capacity to support collective security objectives in a strategic region. The mission underscores the technical and operational capabilities of the Finnish Air Force and its active contribution to the shared defense framework of the Alliance.