Riđđu
11-03-10, 03:19 PM
Came up with this article. Nothing ground-breaking and little interest for foreigners, but posted it here anyway. It seems interpreting the Finnish system is complicated even for Swiss researchers, so it is no wonder that own citizens have been quite lost with the latest round of military transformation. The reality is somewhat more tragic than the article implies when stating that "subsequently, soldiers must serve another 40 to 100 days before being transferred to the reserves". In short as much as two thirds of conscript do not a have a place in wartime units after their military service even if they volunteer. There is not much money (or political will) to organize reservist training, so reservists can be kicked out from the wartime units only after five years "because they are too old". There is equipment for little over 170,000 soldiers. Around 15 battalions are equipped to Western standards.
Finland: Crisis Management and Territorial Defence
Since the end of the Cold War, Finland’s security and defence policy has undergone significant changes. EU membership as well as convergence with NATO have supplemented Finland’s traditional involvement in UN missions. They are the visible reflection of an intensified strategy of cooperation, which is also seen in Finland’s participation in international crisis management. The country’s self-perception continues to be shaped by the experience of history, its immediate proximity to Russia, and its geostrategic situation in the Northeast of Europe.
© 2010 Center for Security Studies (CSS), ETH Zurich
Full text: http://kms1.isn.ethz.ch/serviceengine/Files/ISN/113107/ipublicationdocument_singledocument/76410CEB-87B5-429D-98F7-3FDA436F4710/en/CSS_Analysis_68.pdf
Finland: Crisis Management and Territorial Defence
Since the end of the Cold War, Finland’s security and defence policy has undergone significant changes. EU membership as well as convergence with NATO have supplemented Finland’s traditional involvement in UN missions. They are the visible reflection of an intensified strategy of cooperation, which is also seen in Finland’s participation in international crisis management. The country’s self-perception continues to be shaped by the experience of history, its immediate proximity to Russia, and its geostrategic situation in the Northeast of Europe.
© 2010 Center for Security Studies (CSS), ETH Zurich
Full text: http://kms1.isn.ethz.ch/serviceengine/Files/ISN/113107/ipublicationdocument_singledocument/76410CEB-87B5-429D-98F7-3FDA436F4710/en/CSS_Analysis_68.pdf