Finnish Defence Forces

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 2% 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.

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.

Related Topics:
UN peacekeeping - 1956

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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.

Related Topics:
Pori brigade - Battalion

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Finnish participation in UN peacekeeping operations as of June 2004:

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• 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

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See also : Finland, Finnish Jäger troops, White Guards, List of senior officers

Related Topics:
Finland - Finnish Jäger troops - White Guard - List of senior officers

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