Military of Finland

Finland's defense forces consist of 34,700 persons in uniform (27,300 army; 3,000 navy; and 4,400 air force); the country's defense budget equals about 2% of GDP. There is universal male conscription under which all men serve from six to 12 months. As of 1995, women were permitted to serve as volunteers. A reserve force ensures that Finland can field 500,000 trained military personnel in case of need. Defence Forces have a common website (http://www.mil.fi/index_en) in English.

Military doctrine: Self-defensive; independent defense of all of domestic territory; NATO Partnership for Peace affiliate; committed to pan-European (incl. Russia) treaty of trust-enhancing cooperation like access provided for international observers during major excercises.

Table of contents 1 Equipment 1.1 Army 1.1.1 Armour 1.1.2 Air-defence 1.1.3 Artillery 1.2 Air Force 1.3 Navy 2 Military branches 3 Peace Time Organization of The Finnish Defence Forces

Equipment

Army

Armour

• T-72 (200)
• T-55M

To be replaced by Leopard A2's.

Also in use are Patria Sisu (Pasi), older BMP-2 Assault tanks and new Swedish Combat Vehicle 90s.

Air-defence

Crotale & late-generation Russian AA systems (BUK)

Artillery

Brigades are equipped with 152 mm howitzers. Army corps are supported by 155 mm field cannons and 122 mm multiple rocket launchers[?]. Armoured brigades are equipped with armoured howitzers.

Air Force

• F-18 Hornets (63)
• BAe Hawk trainer/recon aircraft. (52)

Transport/support helicopter modernisation under discussion.

Navy

Emphasis on coastal defence with state-of-art anti-ship missileboats, minelayers and minesweepers.

• Rauma class Missile FAC
• Hämeenmaa class Minelayer

Military branches Army, Navy, Air Force, Frontier Guard (includes Sea Guard)

Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age

Military manpower - availability:
males age 15-49: 1,262,526 (2000 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service:
males age 15-49: 1,041,795 (2000 est.)

Military manpower - reaching military age annually:
males: 34,651 (2000 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure: $1.8 billion (FY98)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 2% (FY98)

Peace Time Organization of The Finnish Defence Forces

Western Command

Guard Jaeger Regiment

Armoured Brigade

Häme Regiment

Signal Regiment

Pori Brigade

Artillery Brigade

Sout-Western Finland AA Regiment

Central Finland Regiment

Eastern Command

Karelia Brigade

Utti Jaeger Regiment

Reserve Officer School

Savo Brigade

North Karelia Brigade

Northern Command

Kainuu Brigade

Jaeger Brigade

Lapland AA Regiment

Navy

Archipelago Sea Naval Command

Gulf of Finland Naval Command

Uusimaa Brigade

Air Force

Lapland Air Command

Satakunta Air Command

Karelia Air Command

Support Squadron

See also : Finland, Finnish Jaeger troops