Finnish defence minister announceslocation for northern NATO base

Finland will place a key NATO base less than 200 kilometers from its border with Russia, the defence ministry said Friday. Finland became a NATO member last year.  The Finnish defence forces' army command is already located at the site of the future base.

The military alliance's Multi Corps Land Component Command will operate under NATO's Norfolk command in the United States, which oversees the Atlantic and Arctic regions. Defence minister said the headquarters would be staffed by a few dozen people from different NATO countries.