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 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.
Some equipment used: Army: > 200 T-72 tanks, near-future replacement by Leopard A2's confirmed Patria Sisu (Pasi) and older BMP APC:s, Crotale & late-generation Russian AA systems (BUK, etc.), AT branch of infantry emphasized. Air Force: 63 F-18 Hornets, 52 BaE Hawk trainer/recon aircraft, transport/support heli modernisation under discussion Navy: emphasis on coastal defence; state-of-art anti-ship missileboats, minelayers and minesweepers
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