NORDEFCO - Nordic defense cooperation

The Nordic countries have a long tradition of working closely together. This also applies in the area of defence.

Nordic defense cooperation includes Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden, and it primarily takes place within the framework of NORDEFCO (Nordic Defense Cooperation), which was established in 2009.

Nordic defense cooperation has developed significantly since the creation of NORDEFCO. Cooperation on operations, training and exercise activities as well as in the area of capacity and equipment has thus increased significantly.

An example of the operational area is the collaboration with, among others, Norway on the dispatch of transport aircraft to the UN mission MINUSMA in Mali. The planes are part of a Nordic-initiated rotation arrangement, where the participating countries take turns to make a transport plane available to the UN until November 2020. Sweden has also previously contributed to the scheme.

The Nordic countries are also collaborating on the acquisition of a common Nordic combat uniform

The chairmanship of NORDEFCO rotates between Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden. Denmark last held the presidency in 2020 and will take over again in 2024.