December 2023 - Nordic Defence Review

Santa’s Army Gets Hairy: Finland Is Welcoming Bearded Soldiers

For over a century, Western military forces have largely enforced strict grooming standards, particularly regarding beards. During the World War 1, chlorine and mustard gas attacks necessitated a clean-shaven face for effective gas mask seals. Now, both the British and Finnish army are revising their approach, adopting more flexible policies on facial hair for soldiers.

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Russia claimed Ukraine was developing nuclear weapons or “dirty bombs” at Chernobyl.

Raising The Stakes: Nuclear Plants in War Zones

Analysis, Crises

The capture of both the iconic Chernobyl nuclear power plant and the operational Zaporizhzhia plant serves a dual purpose for Russia: as strategic military bases and as tools in an information campaign exploiting the fear of nuclear catastrophe, Joanna Przybylak wrote in her recent research paper. In June 2023, Volodymyr Zelensky, the President of Ukraine,

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Rheinmetall will produce 155mm artillery shells for Ukraine

Germany Supplies More Than €400 Million Worth Of Artillery Shells for Ukraine

Business, News

Rheinmetall and an unnamed French company will increase its ammunition production to supply the German Ministry of Defence for more than $400 million worth of 155mm artillery shells for Ukraine. The Düsseldorf-based Rheinmetall has recently secured a major contract worth over €140 million to supply Ukraine with a significant volume of artillery ammunition. This deal

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Saab will supply the Kuwait Naval Force with its advanced Double Eagle Semi-Autonomous Remotely Operated Vehicle.

Saab Dives Into the Gulf

Business, News, Technology

Saab’s Stirling engine is quiet and vibration free. No vibrations spread out to the hull making the submarine silent in the water and therefore difficult to find. By heating and cooling the gas in a Stirling engine, the piston can move in a cylinder. The submarine can then use cold seawater for cooling and liquid oxygen and diesel to create the heating of the engine.

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Defence Cooperation Agreement Between Finland and the United States (DCA)

Finland and U.S. Strengthen Ties with New Defense Cooperation Agreement

News, Politics, Strategy

Finland is set to open its doors wider to United States military presence as part of a new bilateral Defense Cooperation Agreement (DCA) with the U.S., a move signaling a significant shift in the Nordic country’s defence posture. This development comes amid ongoing discussions about Finland’s potential NATO membership and broader geopolitical shifts in the

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Hamina Class vessel by Aurajoki. Source: HaminaHamina Class vessel by Aurajoki, Turku, Finland.

Finnish Navy Bolsters Defense with Modernized Hamina-Class Vessels Amidst European Naval Upgrades

Business, News

The Finnish Navy has achieved a milestone in its naval capabilities with the completion of a significant modernisation and Mid-Life Upgrade project for its Hamina-Class vessels. Various other navies, like the German, the Dutch and the British, are modernizing their fleets, too. The Finnish Defence Forces, in collaboration with Patria, the Finnish defence, security, and

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Foreign Affairs: Preparing For The Clash on Titans – USA vs China

Analysis, Politics, Strategy

”The United States must convince China that it can prevail in a long war,” wrote Andrew F. Krepinevich, Jr. in his Foreign Affairs article “The Big One: Preparing for a Long War With China”, published on December 12, 2023. More and more American are voicing, that the U.S. should focus on China instead of Russia’s war in Ukraine.In his Foreign Affairs article, Krepinevich

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Getting Rid Of Oil – The Maritime Fuel Revolution Increases Supply Security in The North

Analysis, History, Technology

Meeting at one of biggest oil producer countries in the world, UEA, at least 80 countries are demanding a UN Climate Change Conference COP28 deal that calls for an eventual end to fossil fuel use. In maritime transport, this revolution is already on its way as more and shipping giants and navies turn to various

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