NORDEFCO

NORDEFCO, short for the Nordic Defence Cooperation, is a forum for the defense ministries and defense authorities of the Nordic countries to coordinate security and defence policy and to develop common capabilities. It was established in 2009 by Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden to strengthen Nordic defence collaboration, improve interoperability among armed forces, and achieve more efficient use of defence resources.

The work of NORDEFCO is conducted through regular ministerial meetings, senior officials meetings, and a series of expert groups and projects. A small secretariat supports the organization and helps set agendas. Decisions are typically made by consensus among the member states, and the chairmanship rotates among the countries on an annual basis.

Areas of cooperation include joint exercises and training, defence capability development and procurement coordination, civil crisis management, cyber and information security, intelligence sharing, education and research, and defence industry collaboration. NORDEFCO also aims to enhance interoperability of equipment and procedures to reduce duplication and costs.

Although NORDEFCO is not a military alliance, it maintains close dialogue with NATO and other international partners. It reflects a broader Nordic emphasis on regional stability, crisis management, and Arctic security.

Overall, NORDEFCO serves as a mechanism to align Nordic defence policies, share best practices, and coordinate efforts in areas of common interest, while respecting national sovereignty and budgetary constraints.