While Finland has attended many NATO exercises as a Partner nation, the CWIX 2024 cycle is its first full annual CWIX series as NATO Members, since Finland’s official accession on April 4th, 2023. As a full member of the Alliance, Finnish participation has both deepened and broadened, bringing a total of 18 national Command and Control capabilities to CWIX24.
For the second year in a row, Finland brought their developmental Extended Reality capability to experiment in the in Modelling & Simulation Focus Area alongside testing partners such as Italy, Norway, Romania and the United States.
“This capability consists of various types of virtual and constructive simulation systems and command and control systems. It also includes various hardware devices, controllers and Extended Reality glasses that add realism and immersiveness to the user experience,” says capability lead Teppo Laitinen, a civilian Project Manager with the Finnish Defence Forces Joint Systems Centre.
While the system is in the developmental phase, Mr. Laitinen says CWIX has been an excellent opportunity to enhance expertise and progress the system’s maturity. “We are testing simulation systems interoperability together with Command & Control systems through common standards and protocols.” Once implemented, this system will create a realistic virtual battlefield for training and mission rehearsal activities, equipping Commanders with enhanced situational awareness and decision superiority.
As for the team’s CWIX24 objectives, Mr. Laitinen says that “the target is to develop train-as-you-fight concept further with providing Command & Control and other operational tools realistic feed from the surrounding simulated environment.”
While Finland has participated as a partner nation from the early days of CWIX, he says that they are now “more ambitious than ever” to fulfil the mission. “We have a significantly broader testing scope compared to last year, and we have also played a leading role as we have been acting as a federation host for the simulation environment.”
From a human standpoint, Mr. Laitinen says CWIX is an invaluable opportunity to connect with a diverse range of technical Subject Matter Experts, operators, and engineers. “I’ve been enjoying working with smart, talented people, and the team spirit within our community has been fantastic!”
In the Land Focus Area, Captain Henri Palin, a System engineer with the Finnish Army Pori Brigade, agrees. “On a personal level, CWIX’s best point is cooperation with all other nations and it is a privilege to work with an excellent Finnish team.”
His team is testing a capability called the Armylion Command & Control System based on Systematic Sitaware, cooperating with United States, Hungary, Slovakia, Poland, and Romania. Captain Palin said that this CWIX represents a deepening of both relationships and testing program. “I have been a few times to CWIX, but this is first time in the LAND Focus Area. After joining NATO, we have been very busy with building and improving our systems,” he says. “Now it was the right time to come to CWIX to confirm that our systems are compatible. I hope that we manage to test our Command & Control system for de-risk purposes so we can make sure that we can function interoperably if needed,” he says. “So far, we have managed to achieve all planned targets.”
Finland’s increased role within CWIX is a testament to the journey of a NATO partner nation and NATO’s “Open Door Policy.” By participating at CWIX, Allies and Partners can realize many benefits, but most importantly: make progress on national capabilities and contribute to Allied interoperability.
