A compressor having a plurality of vane units each having at least one airfoil projecting from the base. Each base has a groove, so that when the vane units are disposed circumferentially adjacent, the grooves of the respective vane units are circumferentially aligned. A metal strip is disposed in the groove of a plurality of adjacent vane units to link the vane units forming a more rigid ring of vanes that are less susceptible to vane motion, e.g., caused by pressure fluctuations within the compressor of a gas turbine.