On August 25, 2025, Finland became the site of a major multinational training operation as U.S. and European special operations forces launched Exercise Southern Griffin 25. Running through September 12 and hosted by the Finnish Army’s Utti Jaeger Regiment, the drills involve nearly 1,600 personnel. Covering land, air, sea, and freshwater domains, the exercise is designed to strengthen joint operational capabilities in Northern Europe—an increasingly vital task given growing instability on NATO’s eastern flank.
Southern Griffin 25 is more than just a training event; it is a strategic statement. By combining special operations troops, allied aircraft, and multinational command structures, the exercise demonstrates NATO’s adaptation to the operational realities of Northern Europe.
The drills include Finnish NH90 and MD500 helicopters as well as F/A-18 Hornet fighter jets, supported by allied European and U.S. assets. Missions will simulate rapid deployment, troop transport, and air-ground coordination across diverse Finnish terrain—from dense forests to northern landscapes. Colonel Kimmo Nordberg, commander of the Utti Jaeger Regiment, emphasized that the wide scope adds complexity but provides invaluable experience in command, control, and interoperability.
Operationally, the exercise underscores Finland’s readiness to integrate seamlessly into NATO while leveraging its elite special operations capabilities. The Utti Jaeger Regiment, long accustomed to multinational training, is now extending cooperation nationwide, with Finnish state agencies also participating to ensure resilience in crisis coordination.
Strategically, the exercise takes on added weight as Russia prepares for its Zapad 2025 drills across Belarus and Western Russia. While Moscow showcases its integration efforts, Southern Griffin 25 reflects NATO’s ability to reinforce rapidly, sustain long-range logistics, and conduct special operations along Russia’s northwestern frontier. Its proximity to the Arctic and reactivated Russian bases further underlines its geopolitical significance.
Ultimately, Southern Griffin 25 is more than a rehearsal—it is a clear message of deterrence. It highlights Finland’s transformation from security consumer to security provider and confirms NATO’s ability to deploy combat-ready forces into one of Europe’s most contested strategic regions.
