Finland’s ongoing political debate on joining NATO has turned to the issue of nuclear weapons and warfare.
On Saturday, the Prime Minister of Finland Sanna Marin (SDP) said that all possible applications to join NATO must be made before the summer.
Central to NATO’s collective defense are nuclear weapons designed to raise stakes for any attacker.
Finland was part of NATO’s missile defense
As a member of the alliance, Finland would join NATO’s missile defense.
Professor Tommi Koivula The National Defense College told Yle that threatening Finland with nuclear weapons and other missiles would be a much more difficult option if Finland were a member of NATO.
"No physical structures would be built in Finland, but Finnish airspace surveillance and management networks will be integrated into NATO’s air traffic control system. In that case, Allied anti-aircraft missiles could operate in Finnish airspace, if necessary," Koivula said.
Russia has already announced that it will incorporate Finland’s NATO membership into its military planning. According to Koivula, this may list Finland as the target of Russia’s missile systems.
He said that NATO membership would not change Finland’s current defense system, especially conscription. According to Koivula, instead of conscription, nuclear deterrence would be the second floor in the Finnish defense machinery.
Although NATO does not have its own nuclear weapons, its member states France, Britain and the United States have their own nuclear arsenals.
The independent arsenals of these three superpowers serve as the basis for NATO’s collective nuclear intimidation. Matti Pesusenior researcher at the Foreign Policy Institute (FIIA).
"When acting against NATO, Russia must always take into account the risk that the conflict will escalate into the use of nuclear weapons. Although the possibility is small, there is always a risk of nuclear weapons," The wash stated.
The United States deployed nuclear weapons in Europe in the 1950s, and there are still an estimated 100 weapons in Europe, although their exact location has not been officially announced.
In addition, all 30 NATO members cooperate in the field of nuclear policy through the NPG (Nuclear Planning Group).
The nuclear intimidation of NATO membership brings both security and risks to Finland, Koivula added.
Finland’s choices?
In possible NATO membership negotiations, Finland would be asked about its attitude towards nuclear weapons.
Pesu considers it certain that the question of whether Finland will host nuclear weapons on its own soil will not be addressed in the membership negotiations. With its own legislation, Finland could rule out the possibility of receiving nuclear weapons on its territory.
According to Koivula, member states share information and cooperate in formulating NATO’s nuclear doctrine.
"NATO membership brings with it responsibilities because of the nature of being in these efforts. Finland should definitely participate in these efforts." Koivula explained.
Koivula mentioned that Finland has many ways to participate in NATO’s nuclear intimidation. Finland would also have no military obligation to support peacetime nuclear operations.
"For example, an individual Member State may offer its aircraft to escort NATO aircraft carrying nuclear weapons or use its own aircraft for transport," Koivula clarified.
Source: The Nordic Page