About

The NORDEFCO structure is a cooperation structure, not a command structure. Cooperation activities initiated from top or bottom are facilitated and agreed within  the structure, but the actual realization and participation in activities remain national decisions.

Once a cooperation activity is implemented, it will be run by the regular, existing national chain of command. When the activity is being implemented, a NORDEFCO agreement will decide upon a framework or lead nation concept for the activity. Examples of this could be educational cooperation, where responsibility is divided between the nations or a common exercise plan with a rotating host nation scheme for major exercises.

At the top of the political level are the Nordic ministers of defence who meet twice a year. The day-to-day work at the political level is carried out by the Political Steering Committee (PSC).  The PSC consists of four subcommittees on policy, operations, capabilities and armaments, as well as the PSC Secretariat, which functions as the executive staff of the PSC.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

The main aim and purpose of the Nordic Defence Cooperation is to strengthen the participating nations´ national defence, explore common synergies and facilitate efficient common solutions.

In order to achieve this aim, the objectives of the Nordic Defence Cooperation include (but are not limited to):

• A comprehensive, enhanced and long-term approach to defence related issues
• Identify and discuss defence related strategic and policy issues of common interest
• Increase operational effect and quality of the armed forces
• Strive for an optimum resource allocation and cost-efficiency in defence related areas
• Develop interoperability and capability to act jointly
• Develop cooperation in the area of multinational operations, defence related security sector reform and capacity building in support of international peace and security
• Achieve technological benefits
• Promote the competitiveness of the defence industry; and
• Strengthen cooperation on any other possible future area of cooperation.