Russia "trembles", 150 warplanes and 3,000 soldiers ready, NATO "shows its teeth" to Putin in the Arctic, this is why the North Pole can turn into a "battle field" very quickly

The Arctic is an internationally neutral zone that has long been kept out of geopolitics. But climate change has fueled tensions in the remote polar region as clashing strategic interests and melting ice will change it dramatically. The new change in Moscow's strategy could provoke a new confrontation between the great world powers. Currently, Russia is the second largest oil producer in the world after the US, but if it captures the resources of the Arctic it could climb to the first place. The Arctic, moreover, is a key position for Putin. The United States is another major power committed to the region. Finland's entry into NATO, Sweden's possible membership, as well as an exercise that "shows its teeth" to Russia,

ACE training

From May 29 to June 9, Finland, Norway and Sweden host the international exercise Arctic Challenge 2023 (ACE), this year in its sixth edition. The exercise is always organized, every two years since 2013, by the three Scandinavian nations. The maneuvers, which are part of the Nordic defense cooperation Nordefco, are managed from four bases, Orland in Norway, Kallax in Sweden and Rovaniemi and Pirkkala in Finland, involve the air forces of 14 different countries and NATO and mobilize over 3,000 personnel units and about 150 aircraft. In general, the Swedish, Norwegian and Finnish Air Forces regularly conduct combined cross-border air combat trainings operated from their home bases. Not surprisingly, the original intention of ACE was for Stockholm, Oslo and Helsinki to practice together, outside their respective borders, joint air exercises in function of possible needs. However, the global geopolitical situation has changed completely, as has the membership status of Finland and Sweden. ACE, which in fact has become a unique opportunity for joint training between allies, has thus included even more partner countries. And the result is today's mosaic.

NATO "shows its teeth"

The Finnish Air Force is responsible for planning and conducting ACE 2023, one of the largest air exercises in Europe this year. This year's participants are: Denmark, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands, France, Belgium, Switzerland, the Czech Republic and Italy. NATO will participate with aircraft equipped with the Air Warning and Control System (Awacs). ACE 2023 is the first edition with NATO member Finland, as well as the first major exercise involving F-35 fighters. These fifth-generation fighters will be taking part from Norway, the United States, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Italy. "Arctic Challenge training is already well established as a Nordic training concept which, in its current form, offers participants the opportunity to develop cooperation between fourth and fifth generation fighter jets and advanced air defense systems. The training area is large, allowing training for tactically challenging scenarios with a large number of aircraft," Finnish Air Force Deputy Chief of Staff Operations Henrik Elo said in a press release.

The message for Moscow

If at first ACE could be considered a routine exercise for the defense of the Nordic area, now it can be seen as a clear message to Russia, NATO's main rival. Therefore, the goal is to strengthen the ability of participants to perform combat tasks within large multinational air operations, safely and effectively. Additionally, these maneuvers are called to develop air combat methods and tactics between the various types of aircraft involved. In addition to the F-35, the exercise includes F16, Jas Gripen and F/A-18 Hornets as well as liaison, transport and tanker aircraft.