Swedish Visby-class corvette HSwMS Helsingborg operates under Finnish command for territorial surveillance

Navy command for surveillance and protection of Finland's territorial waters during week 40. The deployment is presented by Finnish authorities as a step in strengthened cooperation between Finland and Sweden, intended to widen practical operating models and improve the compilation of a shared maritime picture.

Finland requested and is currently operating with a Swedish corvette assigned to its surveillance duties. The ship is operating under the command of the Finnish Navy for this mission. The activity is described as part of a longer-standing close cooperation between the two navies, now taken further by placing a Swedish surface combatant under Finnish command in peacetime.

Finnish authorities say the cooperation is governed by national peacetime rules. Swedish vessels participating in Finland's territorial surveillance have the same peacetime powers as Finnish vessels, including the use of military force. In all situations during this deployment, command is exercised by a member of the Finnish regular military personnel who holds national peacetime powers.

Information sharing and operational integration

Swedish maritime operations centres exchange data daily. That daily exchange supports a recognized maritime picture shared between the two countries and underpins tactical decisions made during the surveillance operation. The stated objective is to improve the ability of the two navies to operate together in peacetime, during disruptions, and in emergency situations by developing interoperable practices and procedures.

Finnish authorities point to several practical benefits:

• Finnish ships to be redirected to other tasks while maintaining surveillance coverage.
• Operating together provides a chance to test cooperation models, identify lessons, and develop well-working practices for future missions.
• Daily data exchange tightens situational awareness and supports coordinated responses across both navies.

Captain (Navy) Johan Tillander, Chief of Operations, Navy Command, said the initial aim is to look for lessons and to create well-working practices by operating together. He framed the activity as lowering the threshold for conducting similar or more demanding joint tasks in the future, should the need arise.

Expect follow-up activity focused on consolidating procedures for command, communications, rules of engagement, and information sharing. Further bilateral missions or exercises will likely test and refine the practices developed during this deployment.