Finland joins international military exercise for first time as NATO member.

From 4 to 15 March 2024, Finland embarked on Nordic Response 24, its first international military exercise under NATO. Led by Norway, this military exercise spans over 12 days and is conducted across Finland, Sweden, and Norway's northern territories. It is a comprehensive drill that encompasses aspects of land, sea, and air exercises. With around 20,000 participants from 14 different countries, including 4,100 Finnish soldiers, this drill stands as the largest overseas exercise in which the Finnish Defence Forces have engaged.
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Finland Light Rocket Launcher 122 RAKH 89 M1 (RM-70) (Picture source: Finland Army)

The path to Finland's NATO membership has been characterized by evolving policies and discussions over the years. Initially, Finland maintained a stance of military independence, deemed preferable since the 1990s. Nevertheless, the door to NATO membership was kept ajar, contingent on changing global circumstances. The invasion of Ukraine by Russia in 2022 catalyzed a dramatic shift in Finnish public opinion and political will toward NATO membership. This culminated in Finland's application for NATO membership in May 2022, which was fully ratified by March 30, 2023, marking Finland's official entry into NATO. The extensive border Finland shares with Russia has consistently drawn scrutiny towards Russian military intentions and capabilities. A government report on foreign and security policy in October 2020 highlighted a security environment perceived as increasingly volatile and deteriorating.

In the context of Finland's military capabilities and structure, it is geared predominantly towards territorial defense. The Finnish Defence Forces comprise approximately 19,250 active personnel across its Army, Navy, and Air Force, supported by a substantial reserve force of 238,000. The conscript-based military system underscores the importance of ongoing training for reservists to ensure operational readiness.

The equipment roster of Finland's ground forces includes for territorial defense a fleet of 100 operational Leopard 2A6 Main Battle Tanks (MBTs), with an additional 100 Leopard 2A4 models held in reserve. The infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) segment is robust, featuring 212 units divided between 110 BMP-2MDs and 102 CV9030FINs. The armored personnel carrier (APC) fleet is extensive, totaling 613 vehicles. This includes 142 tracked APCs (40 MT-LBu and 102 MT-LBV) and 471 wheeled APCs (260 XA-180/185 Sisu and 101 XA-202 Sisu). Furthermore, 6 SISU GTP armored utility vehicles are currently under testing, highlighting Finland's commitment to modernizing its ground forces.

Supporting these combat vehicles are 5 Dachs armored engineering vehicles (AEVs) and a variety of armored recovery vehicles (ARVs), including 9 BPz-2, 15 MTP-LB, and 12 VT-55A. The fleet also comprises 31 vehicle-launched bridges (VLBs), featuring 12 BLG-60M2, 10 Leopard 2L AVLBs, and 9 SISU Leguan bridge layers. Mine warfare support includes over 6 vehicles, such as the Aardvark Mk 2 and Leopard 2R combat engineering vehicles (CEVs).

For anti-tank and anti-infrastructure roles, Finland employs MANPADS NLAW, Spike-MR, and Spike-LR missile systems, providing critical capabilities against both vehicle and fortified positions.

The artillery component translates to a total of 682 pieces. This includes 59 self-propelled (SP) 122mm artillery units (23 K9 Thunder and 36 2S1 Gvozdika), 288 towed artillery pieces (including 122mm D-30s and 155mm K 83/GH-52s), 56 multiple rocket launchers (MRLs) comprising 122mm RM-70s and 227mm M270 MLRS, and over 279 mortars of various calibers.

It is important to draw attention to the fact that there is currently a mixture of Russian and NATO equipment in use, underscoring the diverse range of military assets employed by Finland.

Finland's recent accession to NATO, coupled with its active involvement in exercises such as Nordic Response 24, underscores its dedication to both national and collective security. This transition signifies a profound shift in Finland's defense strategy, particularly in response to the growing apprehension over the potential threat of Russian aggression. The concern is not unfounded; Finland's extensive border with Russia places it at a strategic forefront, making the possibility of Russian incursion a critical factor in its defense planning. Additionally, historical context amplifies these concerns, as Finland has previously faced aggression from Russia in 1939. This conflict, known as the Winter War, has left a lasting impact on the Finnish collective consciousness, reminding the nation of the tangible threats at its borders and shaping its defense policies and strategies accordingly.