Norway, Sweden and Finland host Nato military exercises

Nordic Response aims to strengthen cooperation between countries and bolster alliance's ability to defend region

A first-of-its-kind training exercise involving more than 20,000 soldiers from 13 countries has launched across northern Norway, Sweden and Finland as the region prepares to become a fully Nato territory within days.

The joint defence exercise, which runs until 14 March, was previously known as Cold Response and held in northern Norway, a founding Nato member, every other year. In recognition of Finland's recent membership of the western military alliance, and with Sweden expected to join imminently, this year it is being designated Nordic Response for the first time.