The Nordic and Baltic defence ministers are meeting in Helsinki (capital of Finland) on 12–13 November in the Nordefco and NB8 formats. The agenda includes cooperation within NATO, support to Ukraine, and joint defence industrial capacity. The chairmanship for both Nordefco and NB8 will transition to Norway in 2026.

Finland is hosting both meetings and leading the discussions in its role as chair of Nordefco and NB8 in 2025. According to the press release, defence chiefs from all Nordic countries participated for the first time within the Nordefco format.

– We are strengthening the defence and supply readiness of the Nordic region. By developing our strategic and operational cooperation capabilities, we can act smoothly to enhance the collective deterrence and defence of the entire alliance. We are also planning our continued support to Ukraine, says Antti Häkkänen, Finland's Minister of Defence, in a press release from the Finnish Ministry of Defence.

From the Norwegian perspective, cooperation on drones, ammunition, and joint defence materiel projects are highlighted as concrete examples of how Nordic defence capability can be strengthened.

– Cooperation and coordination among the Nordic countries in NORDEFCO is a tool for integration into NATO. Together, we can meet security policy challenges and strengthen our ability to support each other in peace, crisis, and conflict, says the country's Minister of Defence, Tore O. Sandvik.

According to the Danish Ministry of Defence, the meetings also include discussions on NATO's northern flank and regional defence measures. In the NB8 format, cooperation against the Russian shadow fleet and the EU's drone initiative are discussed. Denmark highlights its latest donation package to Ukraine, where support is channelled to the Ukrainian defence industry.

– Our support for Ukraine's defence struggle is absolutely crucial – also for our own security, says the Danish Minister of Defence, Troels Lund Poulsen.

From the Swedish side, the Ministry of Defence states that the discussions also cover NATO's forward presence in the north (Forward Land Forces, FLF), regional security, and border protection. NATO's Deputy Secretary General Radmila Šekerinska participates in parts of the programme.