Local defence exercises begin in various locations around Finland
Local defence exercises led by the Army brigade-level units will be arranged from 4 - 8 September 2017 in Kainuu, the area of South-East Finland and Satakunta.
The objective of the local defence exercises is to increase the readiness of the local defence troops and to further develop the know-how of conscripts, reservists and staff with regard to the different tasks of the local defence troops, e.g. in tasks involving cooperation between authorities. Another objective of the exercise is developing cooperation between authorities at local level in demanding situations. Three exercises will be arranged, and a total of 3,500 persons will take part in them.
The Kainuu Brigade will lead the Kajaani 17 Local Defence Exercise in the Kainuu area. Approximately 1,200 soldiers and 40 vehicles will participate. The soldiers will practice in Kajaani and the Vuosanka training area, among other places.
The Karelia Brigade will lead the Kymi 217 Local Defence Exercise in the area of Kymenlaakso, South Karelia and South Savo. Approximately 780 soldiers and 120 vehicles will participate. Exercise troops will be seen in e.g. Mikkeli, Lappeenranta and Taipalsaari.
The Pori Brigade will lead the Satakunta 17 Local Defence Exercise in the areas of Varsinais-Suomi and Satakunta. Approximately 1,500 soldiers and 170 vehicles will participate. Exercise troops will manoeuvre in Turku, Säkylä and Niinisalo, among other places.
Personnel of the Finnish Defence Forces as well as of other authorities such as the Border Guard, Customs, Police, Regional State Administrative Agency and Centres for Economic Development will participate in all of the exercises.
Local forces will manoeuvre throughout the country. The troops will include reservists who know their area of operation well, and they will be trained in refresher exercises, voluntary exercises and courses of the National Defence Training Association. Voluntary reservists of the local defence companies, which belong to the local defence troops, can be used also during peacetime for providing executive assistance to other authorities.
