How Sweden and Finland contribute to the development of NATO’s arctic capabilities

Details

Supervisors

Spetschinsky, Laetitia

Faculty

Faculté des sciences économiques, sociales, politiques et de communication

Degree label

Master [60] en sciences politiques, orientation générale

Abstract

enRussia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 triggered a historic shift in Nordic security policy, prompting Sweden and Finland to abandon their long-standing traditions of neutrality and submit simultaneous NATO membership applications within months of the war's outbreak. Finland joined the Alliance in April 2023, followed by Sweden in March 2024, constituting a fundamental transformation of NATO's strategic posture in Northern Europe. This thesis examines the extent to which this double accession strengthens NATO's capabilities in the Arctic — a region of growing geostrategic importance, coveted for its vast natural resources and gradually accessible maritime routes. Drawing on opensource material covering the period from January 2022 to November 2025, the study analyses Sweden's and Finland's strategic reorientation, the evolving importance of the Arctic within NATO's strategic framework, and the concrete operational contributions of both countries across cyber, space, and conventional military domains. The findings suggest that their integration considerably strengthens NATO's strategic and operational credibility in the High North, through advanced military capabilities, a strengthened territorial footprint, and unequaled expertise in northern and Arctic environments.