Week 40, 2025 was marked by intensive Nordic defence cooperation on drone threats, new NATO structures in northern Europe, and important industry and policy announcements. Below is a comprehensive overview of the week's most important defence news.

Domains

Air

  • International operation against drone threat in Denmark: Ahead of the summits in Copenhagen (Denmark), Denmark received support from several countries with Counter-UAS (Uncrewed Aerial Systems) capability. Sweden, Finland, Norway, Ukraine, Germany and France were among the contributors. Read more
  • Sweden assists Denmark with counter-drone capability: The Swedish government decided to deploy a unit with Counter-UAS capability and radar systems to Denmark following a formal Danish request. The unit operated under Danish Armed Forces command. Read more
  • Norway sends support to Denmark ahead of the summit: Norway decided to assist Denmark with personnel and materiel to counter drone threats during the summits on 1 to 2 October. Norway's Minister of Defence, Tore O. Sandvik, emphasised solidarity with Denmark. Read more
  • Finland supports Danish summit: Finland deployed a military unit with C-UAS (Counter-Uncrewed Aerial Systems) capability to Denmark by decision of the President of the Republic. The unit operated under Danish command. Read more
  • Ukrainian drone specialists on site in Denmark: Ukraine sent a specialist team to share experience in drone defence. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy highlighted the possibility of building a European system called the "Drone Wall". Read more
  • Norwegian F-35s back in Poland for NATO mission: Norway deployed combat aircraft to Poland for the second time this year. Around 100 personnel participated in air defence and surveillance of alliance airspace, partly alongside a Dutch unit. Read more

Land

  • NATO headquarters inaugurated in Finland: NATO's Multi-Corps Land Component Command Northwest (MCLCC-NW) was officially inaugurated on 3 October in Mikkeli (southern Finland). The headquarters will command and coordinate NATO's land forces in northern Europe. Read more
  • New training base for Ukrainian soldiers inaugurated in Poland: Camp Jomsborg in southeastern Poland was inaugurated by the defence ministers of Norway and Poland. The base is used for training Ukrainian soldiers as part of Operation Legio. Read more
  • Sweden's Army Chief visited NATO units in Italy: Major General Jonny Lindfors visited NRDC-ITA (NATO Rapid Deployable Corps Italy) in Solbiate Olona and discussed the headquarters' role as command for the Allied Reaction Force. Read more

Policy & Strategy

  • Denmark: Russia conducting hybrid warfare against NATO and the West: The Danish Military Intelligence Service, Forsvarets Efterretningstjeneste (FE), assesses in a new public report that Russia is conducting hybrid warfare against NATO and the West. Denmark's Minister of Defence emphasised that the alliance will not allow itself to be divided. Read more
  • Minister of Defence Pål Jonson on a working visit to Finland: Sweden's Minister of Defence, Pål Jonson, visited Finland on 30 September for talks with Finnish counterpart Antti Häkkänen. The programme included Hanatinget 2025, a visit to Rauma Marine Constructions (southwestern Finland), and Pori Brigade (Björneborgs brigad, southern Finland). Read more
  • Border meeting between Norway and Russia in Kirkenes: On 30 September, a protocol meeting was held in Kirkenes (northern Norway, near the Russian border) between Norwegian operational command and the Russian border service. The agenda covered border security, coast guard cooperation, and search and rescue operations. Read more
  • The King visited NATO headquarters: HM King Carl XVI Gustaf visited NATO headquarters in Brussels and was received by Secretary General Mark Rutte. Sweden's role as a new ally, support for Ukraine, and contributions to collective security were discussed. Read more
  • Full salary supplement for state-employed reserve officers: From 1 January 2026, reserve officers in civilian state employment will be entitled to full salary supplementation during military service of up to 25 days per year, according to the Swedish Reserve Officers' Association (Förbundet Reservofficerarna). Read more

Industry

  • MilDef's subsidiary roda receives record order from Germany: roda computer, MilDef's German subsidiary, received its largest call-off order to date, worth 212 million SEK, for ruggedised IT equipment for the Bundeswehr's digitalisation programme D-LBO. Deliveries are scheduled for 2025 to 2026. Read more
  • Denmark builds up ammunition stockpile: The Danish company Danammo is to deliver 155 mm artillery ammunition and 120 mm mortar ammunition to the Danish Armed Forces under the defence agreement for 2024 to 2033. Read more
  • NATO Innovation Fund scales up: The fund appointed Professor Dame Fiona Murray as its new Chair of the Board and established a new geopolitical and strategic council to accelerate the development of defence technology in Europe. Read more
  • Swedish Defence Research Agency tests drone protection in Arvidsjaur: The Swedish Defence Research Agency (FOI, Totalförsvarets forskningsinstitut) conducted field trials at the Norrland Dragoon Regiment K4 in Arvidsjaur (northern Sweden) in cooperation with the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) and the Swedish Armed Forces. The focus was on detection, countermeasures, and signature adaptation against drone threats. Read more

Week 40 clearly demonstrated how drone security, NATO integration, and defence industry capacity-building continue to dominate the northern European defence agenda. Next week, further announcements are expected regarding ongoing materiel procurement and alliance cooperation.