Utti Jaeger Regiment to train in Northern Finland's harsh winter conditions

Utti Jaeger Regiment will train in Northern Finland from 2 February to 27 March 2026. The exercise series will involve about 1,000 soldiers in total from the Finnish Defence Forces and the Allied countries.

The goal of the training is to enhance readiness of the Defence Forces’ special operation forces and special operations aviation to operate in demanding winter conditions as well as to improve interoperability of the special operations forces within the alliance.

Participants at different phases of the exercise series will include Finnish conscripts, reservists and the Defence Forces’ personnel and soldiers from the Allied countries. The total strength of the exercise series will be around 1,000 persons.

The exercise area will cover the whole Finnish territory north of Oulu-Nurmes. Soldiers will be bivouacking in the field in small teams and moving in the area primarily on skis or by snowmobiles. Training ammunition will be used in the exercises.

The training will also involve NH90 transport helicopters and MD500 light utility helicopters. Training and aviation activities will be conducted around the clock.

Helicopters and training ammunition may cause noise in the operating area. 

For requests or further information concerning the exercise and aviation activities of Utti Jaeger Regiment, please send email or use the electronic feedback form on the Regiment’s webpage: maavoimat.fi/utin-jaakarirykmentti/yhteystiedot.

Reindeer husbandry considerations acknowledged in exercise planning

The Defence Forces has made an administrative decision on temporary use of land and bodies of water for the Defence Forces’ military training exercises.

The training units have been instructed to take reindeer husbandry into consideration in their activities. Reindeer owners have been informed of the exercise series through the Reindeer Herders’ Association. The Sámi Parliament of Finland has been informed about the exercise series.