# British Army Chief Visited Finland for Defence Talks

- Source: Nordic Defence Sector (https://nordicdefencesector.com)
- Canonical URL: https://nordicdefencesector.com/en/article/british-army-chief-visited-finland-for-defence-talks
- Published: 2026-11-11
- Type: News brief · Section: Land · Country: finland
- Language: en — machine translation from sv; the sv version is authoritative: https://nordicdefencesector.com/sv/article/british-army-chief-visited-finland-for-defence-talks.md
- Also available in: de (https://nordicdefencesector.com/de/article/british-army-chief-visited-finland-for-defence-talks.md), dk (https://nordicdefencesector.com/dk/article/british-army-chief-visited-finland-for-defence-talks.md), es (https://nordicdefencesector.com/es/article/british-army-chief-visited-finland-for-defence-talks.md), fi (https://nordicdefencesector.com/fi/article/british-army-chief-visited-finland-for-defence-talks.md), fr (https://nordicdefencesector.com/fr/article/british-army-chief-visited-finland-for-defence-talks.md), it (https://nordicdefencesector.com/it/article/british-army-chief-visited-finland-for-defence-talks.md), no (https://nordicdefencesector.com/no/article/british-army-chief-visited-finland-for-defence-talks.md), pl (https://nordicdefencesector.com/pl/article/british-army-chief-visited-finland-for-defence-talks.md)
- Primary source: https://maavoimat.fi/en/-/chief-of-the-general-staff-of-the-british-army-on-an-official-visit-to-finland
- Tags: british army, finnish defence force, nato, pasi välimäki, roly walker, janne jaakkola, utti jäger regiment, eastern flank deterrence initiative, ukraine

The British Army Chief, General Sir Roly Walker, visited Finland from 4 to 7 November at the invitation of the Finnish Army Chief, Lieutenant General Pasi Välimäki. The talks focused on military cooperation, lessons learned from the war in Ukraine, and the development of NATO's (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) defence on the eastern flank.

[According to](https://maavoimat.fi/en/-/chief-of-the-general-staff-of-the-british-army-on-an-official-visit-to-finland) the Finnish Army, Walker's visit included the Army Staff and NATO's command staff in Mikkeli (S:t Michel, south-eastern Finland), as well as the Utti Jaeger Regiment, where he was briefed on the activities of Finland's special forces.

The discussions also covered NATO's Eastern Flank Deterrence Initiative and the importance of the defence industry for supply security.

Walker also met with Finland's Chief of Defence, Janne Jaakkola. Following the visit, he [thanked Välimäki](https://x.com/ArmyCGS/status/2119825303224582175) for his leadership as he prepares to step down from his post as Army Chief.

## FAQ

**When did the UK's Chief of the General Staff visit Finland and who invited him?**

The UK's Chief of the General Staff, General Sir Roly Walker, visited Finland from 4-7 November at the invitation of the Finnish Army Commander, Lieutenant General Pasi Välimäki. The visit took place during the same week that Välimäki was due to step down from his post as Army Commander. Last fact-checked: 2026-11-11.

**What was discussed during General Sir Roly Walker's visit to Finland?**

The talks concerned military cooperation, lessons learned from the war in Ukraine, and the development of NATO's defence on the eastern flank. The discussions also covered NATO's Eastern Flank Deterrence Initiative and the importance of the defence industry for security of supply. Last fact-checked: 2026-11-11.

**Which locations and individuals did Walker visit during his trip to Finland?**

Walker visited the Army Staff, NATO's command staff in Mikkeli, and the Utti Jaeger Regiment, where he was briefed on the activities of the Finnish special forces. He also met Finland's Chief of Defence, Janne Jaakkola, and Army Commander Pasi Välimäki, whom he thanked for his leadership. Last fact-checked: 2026-11-11.

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