British Soldiers Train in Arctic Survival with Finnish Forces

British soldiers from the Edinburgh-based 3 Rifles have completed a rigorous six-week winterization training exercise in northern and central Finland. Facing temperatures as low as minus 28 degrees Celsius, the soldiers learned vital survival skills from their Finnish counterparts, all part of their integration into the NATO alliance.

During the training, the soldiers experienced harsh conditions, including immersion in ice and snow. Rifleman James Whittingham, 30, from Shrewsbury, expressed the challenges of the environment, stating, “It’s challenging but it’s good fun.” He emphasized the importance of staying dry, noting, “If we get wet, it’s going to be endex (end of the exercise) for you.”

The British troops engaged in various survival techniques, including the construction of makeshift shelters, known locally as “basha up.” They also practiced firing positions while skiing. Whittingham acknowledged the Finnish soldiers’ expertise in terrain navigation, stating, “They showed us how they basha up in these conditions.”

Learning from Finnish Expertise

Corporal Reece Wilkinson-Wilson, 25, from Nottingham, highlighted the unique challenges posed by the environment, saying, “The temperatures and the environment definitely are out to get you.” He noted the Finnish soldiers train primarily for cold weather situations, making them highly adept in these conditions.

“They’re quite serious in some aspects but they are good lads and they all want to be here,” he remarked. The Finnish soldiers are primarily conscripts, focused on training for potential threats from Russia, according to Wilkinson-Wilson.

Corporal Chris Rowland, 35, from Seaham, described the deployment as crucial for understanding how to operate in extreme cold. He noted the impressive scale of Operation Northern Ax, a joint training exercise that included simulated forest battles. “The amount of infrastructure and capabilities that they have on this exercise, I haven’t seen it from any exercise I’ve been on in the last 15 years,” he stated.

Rifleman Aaron Hunter, 21, from Wakefield, shared how the unit adapted to the cold by layering their clothing. He reported that frostbite could set in within just ten minutes, underscoring the urgency of the training.

Addressing Modern Threats

The Finnish soldiers, who participated in the exercise, have gained respect from their British colleagues for their resilience in the cold. Hunter recalled an ice dip exercise in which a Finnish soldier remained submerged for five minutes while the British soldiers struggled to last thirty seconds. He remarked, “We were in a different state we’ve never been in before.”

The ongoing tensions with Russia are a significant concern for Finnish forces. Hunter noted, “The threat from their neighbours is a big one, it’s mainly why we are out here also.”

Major Henry Wootton, based in Edinburgh, revealed that British soldiers require approximately 5,000 calories per day to maintain warmth in Arctic conditions, compared to the standard 3,000-calorie ration packs. “Just by being outside, you’re burning a lot of calories,” he explained, emphasizing the need to consume food that supports their metabolism in extreme cold.

Wootton praised the professionalism of Finnish forces, describing them as “outdoorsmen and women” with extensive survival skills. He remarked that the British soldiers are learning valuable lessons from their training experience, enhancing their readiness for operations in challenging environments.

The collaboration between the British and Finnish soldiers not only strengthens NATO ties but also equips both nations with essential skills for modern military challenges.