Page 8 - North Atlantic and Nordic Defense

North European and North Atlantic Defense: The Challenges Return

June 3, 2015

http://www.sldinfo.com/the-coming-of-the-f-35-the-services-and-partners-get-ready/
Integrating Innovative Airpower: A Report from the Copenhagen Airpower Symposium

May 11, 2015

http://www.sldinfo.com/integrating-innovative-airpower-a-report-from-the-copenhagen-airpower-
symposium/

European Defense, the Arctic and the Future

June 8, 2014
http://www.sldinfo.com/european-defense-the-arctic-and-the-future/

NORDIC PERSPECTIVES

Defining the Challenges and Shaping a Way Ahead
2017-10-12 By Robbin Laird

With the focus on the land wars and the battles against terrorism at home and abroad, the return of Russia to
the geopolitical table and the willingness and capability of the leader of Russia to use military power for
political purpose came as a bit of a surprise.

Events in Crimea and constant pressure on the Baltics and periodic threats to use nuclear weapons if the
Nordics do not go down a proper path, have had their impact.

The Russians continue to put on the pressure.

In Zapad 17, the Russians recently exercised their forces in the European region of Russia with the Baltics and
Northern Europe in mind.

But this is not the Soviet Union; this is Russia with a nationalistic agenda with the Baltic states and the Arctic in
their sights.

The impact has been to stimulate greater Northern European interest in defense modernization and a
practical focus on enhanced cooperation.
This is not the old Soviet Union with significant leverage points throughout Warsaw Pact Europe.

This is a more consolidated state with a military modernization agenda which is also not about recreating the
massive Soviet Army of the past.

It is an evolving air sea and ground modernization force, significantly smaller than the forces of the Soviet
Union, but being designed for more agile force insertion and political effect.
The liberal democracies have much work to do to rebuild the forces and the shape an effective approach to
crisis management.

There are new capabilities coming to the region, notably the P-8s/and Tritons in crafting a maritime domain
awareness capability and an operational belt of F-35s from the UK through to the Netherlands.
Second Line of Defense

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