Britain to lead new JEF battle groups protecting Finland with nuclear deterrent

Admiral Sir Gwyn Jenkins explained that the JEF alliance - comprising the United Kingdom, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Iceland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and the Netherlands - will establish new battle groups aimed at defending Finland and all member states against Russian threats. The groups will be operational without activating NATO’s Article 5, and Britain’s nuclear-armed submarines will form the backbone of the deterrent.

An Oslo treaty, to be signed in November, will formalise the arrangement, with ratification expected aboard a British carrier. The forces will integrate ships, submarines, aircraft, unmanned drones and autonomous systems, including F-35 jets from carrier decks. Finnish navy chief Counter-Admiral Tuomas Tiilikainen confirmed Finland’s full support, highlighting the need for constant readiness in the Baltic Sea and Arctic. Jenkins stressed that the nuclear threat is intended both for NATO and the new JEF structure, sending a clear warning to Moscow.