Finnish Army - from a Training Organization into a Readiness and Training Organization
On the media day by Commander of the Finnish Army 22 February 2017, Commander of the Finnish Army, Lieutenant General Seppo Toivonen covered topical themes related to, among other things, enhancing readiness and materiel capabilities as well as international activity and exercises of the Finnish Army.
Examined from the Finnish Army viewpoint, the past year 2016 was successful in that nearly 20 000 conscripts were trained and over 20 000 reservists undertook training in versatile refresher training and voluntary exercises. Cooperation with other authorities included offering executive assistance 450 times and having altogether 1150 soldiers serve in crisis management operations.
- This past year was a successful one in that we fulfilled all the tasks assigned and objectives set to us. Once again, we achieved the most optimal results so far in the Conscripts’ Final Survey outcome, and we will continue advancing development of training and quality measures. Regarding the cooperation with other authorities, the number of demanding tasks of executive assistance to the Police has increased and we have been prepared for this by intensifying training together with the Police, said Commander of the Finnish Army, Lieutenant General Seppo Toivonen.
Focus is on Readiness
As of the year 2014, the Finnish Army has responded to the changes in the security environment by developing its readiness capability. Currently, the Finnish Army sustains several forces formed by personnel, conscripts and reservists that enable enhancing readiness within hours when necessary. Sustaining an extensive reserve facilitates territorial defence coverage and capability over a long-term time span.
This year marks the start of one of the most visible development outcomes, namely, a 347-day readiness unit training programme for conscripts. This readiness unit training programme begins in accordance with the regular conscript training cycle for the first six-month period after which the conscripts move on to the readiness unit training phase and that of readiness. The readiness unit sustains the capability for functioning rapidly within the entire national terrain as tasked with national defence and supporting other authorities.
-Overall, as Commander of the Finnish Army, I am indeed very pleased with how committed salaried personnel, conscripts as well as reservists are to meeting these new set readiness objectives, noted Commander of the Finnish Army.
Finnish Army is Active on the International Arena
In 2016 the Finnish Army actively implemented its assigned third task, participation in international crisis management operations. According to Commander of the Finnish Army, these operations mainly fall into two categories: ones which provide support by stabilising a post-conflict setting and others which provide aid to local security authorities in fighting cases of Islamic extremism.
- Obviously, it is the OIR operation in Iraq that is of interest at the moment. As for the Finnish Army, the operation has progressed well in that we have trained 1500 Peshmerga soldiers and treated approximately 500 patients who sustained injuries. All the feedback accrued has been positive. Yet it is clear that this type of operating environment poses challenges also to our soldiers but so far everything has progressed successfully.
Developing Materiel Capability
On the media day, Commander of the Finnish Army emphasized how important the Finnish Defence Forces’ strategic capability projects, the Finnish Navy’s Squadron 2020 and the Finnish Air Force’s new fighter aircraft, are to the Finnish Army as well.
- These projects are indispensable in sustaining our operating prerequisites in situations of crisis. After all, the Finnish Army functions as part of the system.
Furthermore, the Finnish Army is strongly advancing its materiel capability, and significant projects that sustain the Finnish Army’s capability well also in the long term have been successfully completed.
- Implementation of development phases asks for examining the full context. Resorting to cost-effective solutions has enabled us to develop significant materiel capability. In particular, I am content with how we have proceeded in the operational artillery project of the Finnish Army, and this year brings about the training of personnel. However, it must be kept in mind that in the 2030s a number of materiel types will reach the state of decommissioning and thus we need to be prepared to facilitate continuity and operational needs.
