Keep your friends close and your Nordic neighbours closer : A Qualitative Analysis of the changes in NORDEFCO following Sweden’s and Finland’s accession to NATO

The Nordic Defence Cooperation (NORDEFCO) has intensified its work since Sweden and Finland joined NATO, making all NORDEFCO countries members of the alliance. This study aims to provide understanding of how NORDEFCO has changed after Swedish and Finnish NATO membership, and why the Nordic countries keep enhancing their cooperation in the NORDEFCO-format. The study uses the theoretical framework of Shelter theory to understand the perspective of small states, and which type of shelter NORDEFCO now provides. The study presents new empirical material by using interviews with professionals working with NORDEFCO, together with official documents from the cooperation, to understand its development. The study finds that NORDEFCO’s political shelter seeking strategies have become more present after Sweden and Finland joined NATO, focusing on building military capabilities and increasing influence of the Nordic countries within NATO. This differs from before 2024, when the economic aspects of NORDEFCO was more present, and the political shelter seeking strategy to increase military power was harder to achieve as a result of different alignments. Furthermore, the study finds that NORDEFCO gains relevance from the reinforcing relationship between NORDEFCO and NATO and will likely remain a relevant arena for the Nordic countries as long as this remains the case.