Defence Forces to join US National Guard Partnership Program

On 2 May 2024, Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen and Governor of Virginia Glenn Youngkin signed a Letter of Intent in Helsinki on Finland's accession to the United States National Guard Partnership Program (State Partnership Program, SPP).

The National Guards in the United States are troops under the Governors of the states, used regionally in rescue, evacuation and protection missions. Virginia is Finland's state partner. The strength of the National Guard of Virginia is approximately 8,450, while the combined strength of all National Guards in the United States is approximately 340,000.

The SPP opens up new opportunities for the Defence Forces for exercises, training, deepening cooperation between sectors and competence development. Cooperation is carried out primarily within the framework of the Army, Air Force and the cyber sector.

- The defence cooperation between the United States and Finland deepens. These areas of cooperation further enhance the development of Finland's defence and complement the existing cooperation with the United States, says Minister of Defence Häkkänen.

The State Partnership Program was launched in 1993 and today, about one hundred partner countries in Europe, South America, Africa and Asia participate in the SPP. More partnerships are established every year. The US European Command (USEUCOM) plays an important role in the National Guard Partnerships of European countries.

Inquiries: Tuomas Koskenniemi, Ministerial Adviser, Ministry of Defence, tel. +358 295 140 058.