Finland as a NATO member – the potential of deepening bilateral and minilateral defence cooperation within a multilateral framework

The research project “Finland as a NATO member – the potential of deepening bilateral and minilateral defence cooperation within a multilateral framework” (BITRIMINI) explores opportunities in defence cooperation between NATO countries. The research project addresses the following question: how can a small country, such as Finland, best benefit from bilateral and minilateral defence cooperation as a member of NATO? The project is funded by the Finnish Institute of International Affairs (FIIA).

In previous years, Finland has expanded its international defence cooperation partnerships in NORDEFCO, Nordic-Baltic (NB8) cooperation and the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF), and formed both bilateral and trilateral formats with Sweden, Norway, the United Kingdom, and the United States. When carefully utilized, these smaller formats of cooperation can help Finland grow into a strong NATO ally.

The project adopts an empirical approach, conducting fieldwork and interviews in several European capitals. It focuses on analyzing cultural, economic, military, and political factors influencing Finland’s cooperation with the Nordic and Baltic countries, as well as with France, Germany, the UK, and the US.

The FIIA project team consists of Senior Research Fellow Iro Särkkä, Principal Investigator (PI); Research Fellow Joel Linnainmäki, Visiting Research Fellow Antti Pihlajamaa, Leading Researcher Charly Salonius-Pasternak and Research Fellow Minna Ålander.

The research project started in July 2023 and ends in June 2024. The research team will produce a FIIA Report to be published in June 2024 as well sub-publications.