Photo: Finnish Army
The Finnish Army will conduct the Karelian Sword 26 military exercise in southeastern Finland from 22 to 29 May 2026, involving around 10,000 personnel from Finland and allied nations.
Led by the Karelian Brigade, the exercise will take place in the regions of Kymenlaakso, South Savo and South Karelia. According to the Finnish Army, approximately 5,800 conscripts, 2,700 reservists and 1,400 Finnish Defence Forces personnel will participate.
The exercise will serve as the final field exercise for conscript leaders who began service in July 2025 and for conscripts trained for rank duties who entered service in January 2026.
“Karelian Sword 26 will bring together highly capable troops from all Army units in Southern Finland. The exercise, taking place at the end of May, will develop the competence, performance, and interoperability of participating troops and command levels in Southeastern Finland” says Colonel Ari Määttä, Assistant Commander of the Karelian Brigade and exercise director.
Participating Finnish units include the Pori Brigade, Armoured Brigade, Army Academy, National Defence University, Guard Jaeger Regiment, Utti Jaeger Regiment and the Finnish Border Guard. The Finnish Army said the exercise can be followed on social media using the hashtags #KarelianSword26 and #KASW26.
The exercise will also include troops and staff officers from the United Kingdom and the United States, including elements of the Virginia National Guard engineer company and a combat helicopter detachment from the British Army’s 4 Regiment Army Air Corps.
The Finnish Army said approximately 1,500 vehicles and multiple aircraft will take part in the exercise. Karelian Sword 26 is part of a wider Finnish Army exercise series involving around 19,000 personnel across Finland during May 2026.
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