Options for Enhancing Nordic–Baltic Defence and Security Cooperation: An Explorative Survey

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The Nordic–Baltic region is located as a geopolitical buffer zone between the great power interests of the East and the West. As external pressures are rising with an assertive Russia to the east and uncertainties about US NATO guarantees to the west, compounded by an uncertain EU, the region is challenged to respond, particularly in the areas of defence and security. This report begins with the regional demand for enhanced defence and security cooperation.
This was the background for a workshop that was held at the Centre for Military Studies in March 2017 consisting of 25 regional experts, all weighing in on the current status and possible future venues for Nordic–Baltic defence and security cooperation. The report reflects this, as it provides a brief institutional survey of the main regional defence and security collaborations and follows up with numerous options for future Nordic–Baltic cooperation. These options are presented through four dimensions of defence and security cooperation: Political level options, force generation options, force employment options and security and resilience options, all of which comprise concrete, policy-oriented ideas that can either be implemented as is or – more ambitiously – will inspire new ideas. The report suggests a Nordic–Baltic ‘Schengen for Defence’, Baltic NORDEFCO membership, adaption of NB8 to be the principal regional venue for defence and security dialogue, Nordic–Baltic table-top exercises and numerous other options
Original languageEnglish
Place of PublicationCopenhagen
PublisherCenter for Militære Studier, Københavns Universitet
Number of pages43
ISBN (Print)9788773938003
Publication statusPublished - 2017

Note re. dissertation

This report is a part of Centre for Military Studies’ policy research services for the Ministry of Defence and the political parties to the Defence Agreement. The purpose of the report is to identify and explore options to enhance defence and security cooperation among the NordicBaltic countries on the basis of an analysis of existing patterns of cooperation.<br/>The Centre for Military Studies is a research centre at the Department of Political Science at the University of Copenhagen. The Centre undertakes research on security and defence issues as well as military strategy. This research constitutes the foundation for the policy research services that the Centre provides for the Ministry of Defence and the political parties to the Defence Agreement.<br/>This report contains an analysis based on academic research methodology. Its conclusions should not be understood as a reflection of the views and opinions of the Danish Government, the Danish Armed Forces or any other authority

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