The Finnish Defence Forces (Finnish: Puolustusvoimat) consist of 34,700 people in uniform (27,300 army, 3,000 navy, and 4,400 air force). Finland's defence budget equals about 1,4% of the GDP. A universal male conscription is in place, under which all men above 18 years of age serve from 6 to 12 months, although service for Jehovah's Witnesses is not mandatory and inhabitants of Åland have a different system in place. Also a 13-month-long non-military service is possible. As of 1995, women were permitted to serve on a voluntary basis. The defence is based on a large trained reserve. Finland can mobilize 490,000 trained military personnel in a crisis situation. National motto: none Official language Swedish Capital Mariehamn Governor Peter Lindbäck Premier Roger Nordlund Total Area  - Land  - Water 6,784 km² 1,527 km² 5,258 km² Population  - Total (2005)  - Density 26,711 17. ... A conscientious objector is an individual whose personal beliefs are incompatible with military service, perhaps with any role in the armed forces or just with a particular war. ...

The Finnish Defence Forces are under the command of the Chief of Defence, who is directly subordinate to the President of the Republic in matters related to the military command. At the moment (November 2005) Chief of Defence is Admiral Juhani Kaskeala. The President of Finland (Suomen Tasavallan Presidentti; Republiken Finlands President) is the Head of State of Finland. ... Admiral Juhani Kaskeala Juhani Kaskeala (born 1946) is a Finnish admiral and commander of the Finnish Defence Forces. ...

Military doctrine: Self-defensive; independent defence of all of domestic territory; NATO Partnership for Peace affiliate; committed to pan-European (incl. Russia) treaty of trust-enhancing cooperation, such as providing access for international observers during major exercises. The NATO flag NATO 2002 Summit in Prague The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), sometimes called North Atlantic Alliance, Atlantic Alliance or the Western Alliance, is an international organisation for defence collaboration established in 1949, in support of the North Atlantic Treaty signed in Washington, D.C., on April 4...

In 2005 the Finnish defence ministry announced a cost-cutting plan. The Helsinki Air Defence Regiment in Hyrylä and the Savo Brigade in Mikkeli will be disbanded in 2007. At the same time Kotka Coastal Command will be disbanded and its duties will be taken over by other units. Helsinki Air Defence Regiment (Helsingin Ilmatorjuntarykmentti, HellItR) is a Finnish Army unit located in Hyrylä (some 30 km from Helsinki). ... The city of Mikkeli Mikkeli or S:t Michel in Swedish is a town and municipality in Finland. ... 2007 (MMVII) is a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Military branches

• Finnish Army (Maavoimat)
• Finnish Navy (Merivoimat)
• Finnish Air Force (Ilmavoimat)

The Frontier Guard (Rajavartiolaitos) is under the Ministry of the Interior but can be incorporated into the Defence Forces when required by defence readiness. The Finnish Army (Finnish: Maavoimat) is one of the branches of the Finnish Defence Forces. ... Finnish Naval Ensign Finnish Naval Jack The Finnish Navy (Finnish: Suomen merivoimat) is one of the branches of the Finnish Defence Forces. ... The Finnish Air Force (Finnish: Ilmavoimat) is one of the braches of the Finnish Defence Forces. ... The Frontier Guard (Finnish: Rajavartiolaitos) of Finland is the Finnish security authority responsible for the border security. ...

Military Ranks

Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim is the only person to have held the titles of sotamarsalkka/fältmarskalk (Field Marshal) and later Suomen marsalkka/Marskalk av Finland ("Marshal of Finland"). Note that both sotamarsalkka and Suomen marsalkka were officially not military ranks, but honorary titles. In practice sotamarsalkka was treated like a rank, and it had a distinctive rank insignia. As Suomen marsalkka Mannerheim continued to wear the same sotamarsalkka's insignia. C.G.E. Mannerheim The famous Mannerheims equestrian statue by the Mannerheim road in downtown Helsinki, the capital of Finland Baron Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim (June 4, 1867 – January 28, 1951) was the reputed Commander-in-Chief of Finlands Defence Forces, Marshal of Finland, an astute politician... Note: This article is about the military usage of the word marshal. For other usages, see the end of this article. ...

The rank of sotamies is not actually given to new recruits anymore, although it was used before. The lowest rank is named after the task; in the infantry the rank is jääkäri (Jaeger), artillery has tykkimies (artilleryman), communications has viestimies (signaller), Guard Jaeger Regiment has kaartinjääkäri, and so on. General is a high military rank, used by nearly every country in the world. ... Lieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. ... Insignia of a United States Air Force Major General German Generalmajor Insignia Major General is a military rank used in many countries. ... A Brigadier General, or one-star general, is the lowest rank of general officer in the United States and some other countries, ranking just above Colonel and just below Major General. ... It has been suggested that polkovnik be merged into this article or section. ... In the U.S. Army, Air Force and Marine Corps, a lieutenant colonel is a commissioned officer superior to a major and inferior to a colonel. ... Major is a military rank. ... Captain is both a nautical term and a military rank. ... A Lieutenant is a military, paramilitary or police officer. ... Second Lieutenant is the lowest commissioned rank in many armed forces. ... Admiral is a word from the Arabic term Amir-al-bahr (Lord of the bay). ... Vice Admiral is a naval rank of three star level, equivalent to Lieutenant General in seniority. ... The term Rear Admiral originated from the days of Naval Sailing Squadrons, and can trace its origins to the British Royal Navy. ... The military rank of Commodore is used in some navies for officers whose position exceeds that of a Captain, but is less than that of a flag officer. ... Captain is both a nautical term and a military rank. ... Insignia of a United States Navy Commander Commander is a military rank used in many navies but not generally in armies or air forces. ... In the Royal Navy, United States Navy and United States Coast Guard, a lieutenant commander (lieutenant-commander or Lt Cdr in the RN) is a commissioned officer superior to a lieutenant and inferior to a commander. ... A Lieutenant is a military, paramilitary or police officer. ... LTJG insignia. ... A Lieutenant, Junior Grade, is a division officer in the United States Navy. ... A warrant officer (WO) or a chief warrant officer (CWO) is a member of a military organization, with a rank subordinate to other commissioned officers and senior to noncommissioned officers. ... A warrant officer (WO) is a member of a military organization holding one of a specific group of ranks. ... United States Military Staff Sergeant insignia (U.S. Air Force) Staff Sergeant is the fifth enlisted rank in the U.S. Air Force, just above Senior Airman and below Technical Sergeant. ... This article is about the rank of sergeant. ... Corporal is a military rank (equivalent to NATO Rank Code OR-4) in use by several militaries of the world. ... Lance Corporal (LCpl or L/Cpl) is a military rank used by some elements of the British, Commonwealth, and U.S. armed forces. ... A private is a military soldier of the lowest military rank (equivalent to Nato Rank Grades OR-1 to OR-3 depending on the force served in). ... A warrant officer (WO) or a chief warrant officer (CWO) is a member of a military organization, with a rank subordinate to other commissioned officers and senior to noncommissioned officers. ... Good conduct variation Chief Petty Officer insignia Chief Petty Officer is the seventh enlisted rank in the U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard, just above Petty Officer First Class and below Senior Chief Petty Officer, and is a non-commissioned officer. ... Good conduct variation Petty Officer First Class insignia Petty Officer First Class is the sixth enlisted rank in the U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard, just above Petty Officer Second Class and below Chief Petty Officer, and is a non-commissioned officer. ... Good conduct variation Petty Officer Second Class insignia Petty Officer Second Class is the fifth enlisted rank in the U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard, just above Petty Officer Third Class and below Petty Officer First Class, and is a non-commissioned officer. ... Good conduct variation Petty Officer Third Class insignia Petty Officer Third Class is the fourth enlisted rank in the U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard, just above Seaman and below Petty Officer Second Class, and is the lowest form of non-commissioned officer, equivalent to a Corporal in... In the Royal Navy in the middle of the 18th century, the term Able Seaman referred to a seaman with at least two years experience at sea. ... Seaman can be a generic term for sailor. ... Jäger (plural also Jäger, both pronounced as the surname Yeager) is a German word for hunter. In English it is often written with the plural Jägers, or as jaeger (pl. ... The Guard Jaeger Regiment (Kaartin Jääkärirykmentti) is a Finnish Army unit located in Helsinki. ...

Old ranks that are not used anymore include: ylivääpeli/överfältväbel (a rank between Chief Warrant Officer and Warrant Officer), kornetti (Second Lieutenant in the cavalry), ratsumestari (a cavalry Captain), prikaatinkenraali (old form for prikaatikenraali) and lentomestari. Italian cavalry officers practice their horsemanship in 1904 outside Rome. ...

The ranks of the warrant officers (vääpeli, sotilasmestari) fall into disuse, because the training of new NCO's was ended in 2001, and those who have recently graduated from the academy usually hold the rank of a Second Lieutenant or a Lieutenant. Those who hold the ranks of vääpeli or sotilasmestari are soon to be retired. From 2001 on, the National Defence College trains all new officers, which are all commissioned. All NCO ranks are, however, still used for NCO's promoted in the reserve (the highest ranks for conscripts at the end of their mandatory service are lance corporal, sergeant and second lieutenant).

History

The autonomous Grand Duchy of Finland had its of standing army and its own system of conscription. The Guard of Finland fought alongside the imperial army in several of Russias wars. Russification efforts after 1899 resulted in dodging of the draft and later in the abolishment of conscription. The Grand Duchy of Finland was a state that existed 1809–1917 as part of the Russian Empire. ... Between 1809 and 1917 Finland was an autonomous part of the Russian Empire as the Grand Duchy of Finland. ... Between 1809 and 1917 Finland was an autonomous part of the Russian Empire as the Grand Duchy of Finland. ... Greater Arms of the Russian Empire, adopted in 1882 Flag of Russian Empire 1914-1917 Imperial Russia is the term used to cover the period of history from the expansion of Russia under Peter the Great, through the expansion of the Russian Empire from the Baltic to the Pacific Ocean... The policy of Russification of Finland, 1899–1917, aimed at the termination of Finland’s autonomy but resulted in fierce Finnish resistance that ultimately led to Finlands declaration of independence in 1917. ... 1899 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... The word draft (also draught) has multiple meanings: The draft is a synonym for conscription or peacetime national service. ...

During World War I Finnish volunteers secretly joined the Imperial German army to receive military traning. These Finnish Jäger troops arrived in February 1918 in the white capital city of Vaasa and formed the core of the White Army in the Finnish Civil War. World War I was primarily a European conflict with many facets: immense human sacrifice, stalemate trench warfare, and the use of new, devastating weapons - tanks, aircraft, machine guns, and poison gas. ... The term German Empire commonly refers to Germany, from its consolidation as a unified nation-state on January 18, 1871, until the abdication of Emperor Wilhelm II on November 9, 1918. ... The Jäger troops were volunteers from Finland in Germany trained as Jägers (elite light infantry) during World War I. It was one of many means by which Germany intended to weaken Russia and to cause Russias loss of western provinces and dependencies. ... 1918 (MCMXVIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar. ... Vaasa, or Vasa in Swedish, (Wasa in Latin), is a city on the west coast of Finland. ... The Civil War in Finland was fought from January to May 1918, between the Reds (punaiset), i. ...

The Russian revolutions had caused the creation of Red and White Guards in Finland. On January 25, 1918 the White Guard were declared to be the official troops of the white government. This marks the formation of the armed forces of the independent Finland. The Revolution *The first was that of the February Revolution of 1917, which displaced the autocracy of Czar Nicholas II of Russia, the last effective czar of Russia, and sought to establish in its place a liberal republic. ... During the Civil War in Finland, 1918, the Red Guards were the supporters of revolution who were defeated by the White Guards and German forces. ... The White Guards is one translation of the Finnish term Suojeluskunta (plural: Suojeluskunnat, Finland-Swedish: Skyddskår) that unfortunately has received many different translations to English, for instance: Security Guard, Civil Guard, National Guard, White Militia, Defence Corps, Protection Guard, Protection Corps and Protection Militia. ... January 25 is the 25th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1918 (MCMXVIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar. ... The White Guards is one translation of the Finnish term Suojeluskunta (plural: Suojeluskunnat, Finland-Swedish: Skyddskår) that unfortunately has received many different translations to English, for instance: Security Guard, Civil Guard, National Guard, White Militia, Defence Corps, Protection Guard, Protection Corps and Protection Militia. ...

After the Finnish Civil War the armed forces were organised according to the German system. In February 1919 the White Guard separated from the armed forces and became an independent organisation. The Civil War in Finland was fought from January to May 1918, between the Reds (punaiset), i. ... 1919 (MCMXIX) was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ...

Restrictions on armaments

The Paris Peace Treaty after the Continuation War limited the strength of the Finnish Army to 34,400 men, the Navy to 4,500 men and the maximum displacement of ships in the navy to 10,000 tonnes. The Air Force was limited to 3,000 men and 60 planes. Also certain weapons such as guided missiles, submarines, proximity mines, torpedo boats, bombers with internal bomb racks and any weapons of German origin were forbidden. Later "defensive" missiles were allowed. All of the restrictions, except for the ban on nuclear weapons, were unilaterally lifted by president Mauno Koivisto after the breakup of the Soviet Union. This page is about the partial formal conclusion of World War II. For other Paris peace treaties see article Treaty of Paris. ... The Continuation War was fought between Finland and the Soviet Union during World War II, from the Soviet bombing attacks on June 25, 1941, to cease-fire September 4, 1944 (on the Finnish side) and September 5 (on the Soviet side). ... A guided missile is a military rocket that can be directed in flight to change its flight path. ... HMS Vanguard, a Vanguard class nuclear ballistic missile (SSBN) submarine HMCS Windsor, a Victoria class diesel-electric hunter-killer (SSK) submarine HMAS Rankin, a Collins class diesel-electric guided missile (SSG) submarine USS Virginia, a Virginia class nuclear attack (SSN) submarine A submarine is a specialized watercraft that can operate... A naval mine is a stationary self-contained explosive device placed in water, to destroy ships and/or submarines. ... A torpedo boat is a relatively small and fast naval ship designed to launch torpedoes at larger surface ships. ... A bomber is a military aircraft designed to attack ground targets, primarily by dropping bombs. ... The mushroom cloud of the atomic bombing of Nagasaki, Japan, 1945, rose some 18 km (11 mi) above the epicenter. ... Mauno Henrik Koivisto (born November 25, 1923) was the President of Finland from 1982 to 1994. ... // The rise of Gorbachev Although reform stalled between 1964–1982, the generational shift gave new momentum for reform. ...

UN peacekeeping operations

Finland has taken part in UN peacekeeping operations since 1956, resulting in total of 43,000 Finnish peacekeepers during that time. In 2003 over a thousand Finnish peacekeepers were involved in UN operations. According to the Finnish law the maximum simultaneous strength of the peacekeeping forces is 2000 soldiers. Peacekeeping is a way to help countries torn by conflict create conditions for sustainable peace. ... 1956 (MCMLVI) was a leap year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Since 1996 the Pori brigade has trained a special jaeger battalion, the Finnish Rapid Deployment Force (FRDF), which can take part in crisis management operations at short notice. The Pori Brigade (Finnish: Porin Prikaati) based in Huovirinne is part of the Western Command of Finland. ... Symbol of the Austrian 14th Armoured Battalion in NATO code In military terminology, a battalion consists of two to six companies typically commanded by a lieutenant colonel. ...

Finnish participation in UN peacekeeping operations as of June 2004:

• KFOR in Kosovo (700)
• UNMIK in Kosovo (2) + civilians (policemen)
• UNIFICYP in Cyprus (3)
• UNMIL in Liberia (2)
• UNTSO in Egypt, Israel, Lebanon and Syria (14)
• UNMEE in Ethiopia and Eritrea (207)
• ISAF in Afghanistan (60)
• UNMOGIP in India and Pakistan (45) + 70 civilians

• UNMOP in Montenegro has ended December 15, 2002.

Source: http://tietokannat.mil.fi/rauhanturvaajat/ops.php3 Pocket badge of the KFOR Ukrainian soldier on foot patrolling in Serbian village near Brezovica KFOR vehicle of the French Army The Kosovo Force (KFOR) is a NATO-led international force responsible for establishing and maintaining security in Kosovo. ... Kosovo and Metohia (Serbian: Косово и Метохија / Kosovo i Metohija , Albanian: Kosovë / Kosova) , in English most often called just Kosovo, is a province of Serbia. ... The United Nations Mission in Kosovo or UNMIK is an interim civilian administration of the Serbian province (as part of Serbia and Montenegro) called Kosovo (officially Kosovo and Metohia), under the authority of the United Nations. ... This page is a candidate for speedy deletion. ... UNTSO is an acronym for United Nations Truce Supervision Organization, an organization founded in 1948 for peacekeeping in the Middle East. ... The UNMEE (United Nations Mission To Ethiopia and Eritrea) was originally formed to monitor a ceasefire in the border war that began in 1998 between Ethiopia and Eritrea. ... ISAF can stand for: International Sailing Federation International Security Assistance Force This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... UN Mission of Observers in Prevlaka (UNMOP) (January 15, 1996 - December 15, 2002) was a United Nations peacekeeping mission that monitored the demilitarization of the disputed Prevlaka peninsula by carrying out daily foot and vehicle patrols on both sides of the border between Croatia and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. ... Serbia and Montenegro  â€“ Serbia    â€“ Kosovo and Metohia        (UN administration)    â€“ Vojvodina  â€“ Montenegro Official language Serbian Capital Podgorica Former Royal Capital Cetinje President Filip Vujanović Prime Minister Milo Đukanović Area  â€“ Total  â€“ % water  13,812 km²  n/a Population  â€“ Total (2003)  â€“ Density  616,258  48. ... December 15 is the 349th day of the year (350th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2002 (MMII) is a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

See also : Finland, Finnish Jäger troops, White Guards, List of senior officers The Jäger troops were volunteers from Finland in Germany trained as Jägers (elite light infantry) during World War I. It was one of many means by which Germany intended to weaken Russia and to cause Russias loss of western provinces and dependencies. ... The White Guards is one translation of the Finnish term Suojeluskunta (plural: Suojeluskunnat, Finland-Swedish: Skyddskår) that unfortunately has received many different translations to English, for instance: Security Guard, Civil Guard, National Guard, White Militia, Defence Corps, Protection Guard, Protection Corps and Protection Militia. ... This is a list of senior officers of the Finnish Defence Forces since Finlands independence. ...

External links

• Finnish Defence Forces
• Finnish Peacekeeping Operations (in Finnish)