NATO has approved Finland’s proposal to host a Deployable CIS Module, placing a new command and control unit on Finnish soil. Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen announced the decision in Brussels on Thursday during a meeting of NATO defence ministers.
“It is good news,” Häkkänen told Finnish reporters.
The unit will provide communication and information system services to support NATO forces and command structures in Finland and, if required, across the alliance.
The Deployable CIS Module, known as DCM, forms part of the NATO Command Structure. Its establishment and maintenance qualify for NATO common funding.
Around 60 staff will work in the unit. The posts will be filled by Finnish personnel.
Häkkänen said Finland had lobbied for the placement for several months.
“We secured the support of allied countries for our new NATO objective. A command system unit located in Finland will strengthen NATO’s deterrence and defence in the northern area of the alliance,” he said.
The unit will focus on the High North. It will build and maintain deployable communication systems that support operational command. Some of the systems are designed for transport in mobile containers for field use.
The DCM will operate under the NATO Communications and Information Systems Group.
“Finland has strong expertise in command and control systems. Besides serving the interests of the alliance, a DCM located in Finland will provide an opportunity to develop the compatibility of Finnish and NATO command and control services,” Häkkänen said.
The exact location of the unit in Finland remains undecided. The aim is to begin operations next year.
Finland already hosts NATO’s northern land forces headquarters in Mikkeli. Together with Sweden, it is planning forward land forces in Lapland.
The decision came as NATO defence ministers gathered to prepare for the alliance summit in Ankara later this year. Ministers discussed defence spending targets agreed in 2025 and work on a more proactive approach to deterrence.
HT