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NATO’s Allied Command Transformation (NATO ACT) recently took to Twitter to highlight Finland’s significant contributions to the alliance following the country’s recent accession.
In the tweet, NATO ACT spoke of Finland’s “impressive wartime strength of 280K military personnel,” along with its “strong artillery capabilities, a modern fighter jet fleet, and powerful mine hunting capabilities at sea.”
The message from NATO is clear: Finland’s integration into NATO strengthens the alliance.
Finland’s military, the Finnish Defence Forces (FDF), is a key player in this enhancement. The FDF consists of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, with the Finnish Border Guard integrating with these forces during wartime.
One of the standout features of Finland’s defence forces is its universal male conscription policy. This requires all able-bodied men to serve between 165 and 347 days, ensuring that the country can call upon a well-trained reserve force capable of mobilizing up to 280,000 personnel in times of need. This reserve force is essential to Finland, and it focuses on using the country’s heavily forested terrain and numerous lakes to wear down potential aggressors.
Financially, Finland backs its defence ambitions with a substantial budget. In 2022, the country allocated approximately €5.8 billion to defence. This investment supports one of the largest artillery capabilities in Europe, with 700 howitzers, 700 heavy mortars, and 100 multiple rocket launchers. Finland is also modernising its air force; the current 62 F/A-18 combat aircraft fleet will be replaced by 64 advanced F-35 fighters starting in 2026, as part of the HX Fighter Project.
Finland’s commitment to its defence is reflected in the population’s strong will to protect their homeland. According to a recent study, 83% of Finns are ready to defend their country against a superior enemy, one of the highest rates in Europe. Finland’s forces are well-regarded internationally, with many volunteers participating in UN, NATO, and EU missions worldwide.
It’s good they’re on our side.