Army branches 

This page provides you information on the Army branches, combat arms. The Army constitutes the main body of the Finnish Defence Forces’ wartime strength. During peacetime, the main task of the Army brigade-level units is to train the Army forces that are to be established while raising readiness. 

Infantry

Sotilas tähtää rynnäkkökiväärillä Forming the Army’s core force element, the infantry is tasked to contain and defeat the enemy in combined-arms co-operation in combat. The infantry transit marches mounted on armoured vehicles or modern tracked carriers. Operational tempo is key to achieving success.

Execution of combat missions requires mobility, the capability to move dismounted foot-mobile or ski-borne. Infantry combatants are required to be physically fit, mentally resilient, and proactive for mission completion. 

The infantry provides conscript training to c. fifty percent of the persons liable for military service entering into service. Versatile infantry training specialisations include

  • jaeger
  • reconnaissance, intelligence, and special force
  • mortar
  • anti-armour and anti-tank
  • armour
  • military police

Infantry conscripts are trained at:

  • the Jaeger Brigade, in Sodankylä and Rovaniemi
  • the Kainuu Brigade
  • the Karelia Brigade
  • the Army Academy, in Lappeenranta and Hamina
  • the Utti Jaeger Regiment
  • the Armoured Brigade
  • the Pori Brigade, in Säkylä and Niinisalo
  • the Guard Jaeger Regiment

Although, at the brigade level-units, regional conditions and specialisations flavour training with special charateristics, in broad terms all training provided can be said to remain identical and aim to muster out efficient combatants and their leaders. 

Field artillery

Raketinheitin ampumassa A versatile and technical branch, field artillery utilises modern equipment including laser range finders, image intensifiers, radars and information technology at various levels of fire control computers, signals systems and simulators.

The primary mission of field artillery is to support the infantry maneuver forces in combat. This mission is executed by fires of artillery pieces, self-propelled artillery, and multiple launch rocket systems up to ranges of 30 kilometres.

The field artillery branch is a capability package formed by leaders, signalists, surveyors, forward observers and joint fire observers, recon scouts, gun crew members, and support personnel. Additionally, the Pori Brigade’s Satakunta Artillery Regiment trains all met(eorological) observers of the Army and of the Navy.

Field artillery conscripts are trained at:

  • the Pori Brigade in Niinisalo
  • the Armoured Brigade
  • the Kainuu Brigade
  • the Karelia Brigade
  • the Army Academy in Hamina

Ground-based air defence

Sotilas ampuu ilmatorjuntatykillä Ground-based air defence units protect maneuvering forces as well as military and civil targets from adversary air attacks.  The units are equipped with surface-to-air missiles and anti-aircraft artillery guns, as well as command and control, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems.

Efficient and technologically demanding ordnance materiel, surface-to-air missiles generate regional air defence main effort. Key regional targets, formations, and military targets are protected by missile systems ITO12- (Nasams) and ITO90M- (Crotale), whereas missile systems ITO05, ITO05M and ITO15 are well suited for protecting maneuvering forces. Gun-based air defence supplements the layered cover provided by missile air defence. The calibre of gun-based air defence guns varies from the heavy machine gun 12.7mm to that of a 35mm anti-aircraft cannon.

For battle space management is used an advanced command and control system that enables generating a real-time common operational and tactical picture and co-ordination and management of fires. 

Ground-based air defence concripts are trained at:

  • the Jaeger Brigade in Rovaniemi
  • the Karelia Brigade
  • the Armoured Brigade

Engineer

Sotilaita metsässä Sappers of the battlefield, engineers are tasked with a mission profile that is extensive and multifaceted and includes combat missions too. Engineering aims to modify the operating environment optimal for own maneuvering forces and limit the impact of enemy effects and circumstances. 

The engineer branch trains conscripts for tasks of combat engineers, EOD specialists, and CBRN specialists. A number of engineers are trained to serve as mechanics and heavy equipment operators and specialist equipment operators. 

Engineers fix the adversary’s movement by constructing minefields and conducting road and bridge demolitions to deny enemy access to key lanes. Movement support of own maneuvering forces is enabled by clearance, route network maintenance, and bridge-laying and road construction as applicable. For wet-gap crossing can be used ponton and bridge equipment. EOD specialists hone skills in clearing extensive or demanding targets. The majority of engineer trainees complete the Blaster’s License Certification. 

Engineer conscripts are trained at:

  • the Karelia Brigade
  • the Kainuu Brigade
  • the Pori Brigade in Säkylä
  • the Armoured Brigade in Hämeenlinna
  • the Nyland Brigade (Navy)
  • the Army Academy in Hamina

CBRN

A part of engineering, CBRN training aims to provide combatants with the readiness to survive within a weapon engagement zone of chemical, biological, nuclear and incendiary weapons. 

The training includes CBRN intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, force protection, decontamination, and rescue. Rescue training includes the firefighting and rescue course that awards the trainees with certification that complies with that of the Finnish National Rescue Association (SPEK) course.   

CBRN conscripts are trained at:

•    the Pori Brigade in Säkylä

Signals

Sotilas käyttää tietokonetta ja radiota metsässä Signals operations are tasked to establish and sustain communication and information networks for command and control, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, and fires. The comms are generated by modern signals systems and equipment that include, among other, formation signals systems, regional signals units and software defined radios. 

Signals units establish, sustain and protect their command headquarters command posts, and are responsible for their transfers and servicing. Command posts are set up either in mobile command post vehicles or transferable containers complete with CIS that enable situational awareness and efficient command and control of maneuvering forces. 

Signals systems training is provided at:

  • the Jaeger Brigade in Sodankylä
  • the Guard Jaeger Regiment
  • the Pori Brigade in Säkylä
  • the Karelia Brigade
  • the Kainuu Brigade
  • the Armoured Brigade in Hämeenlinna and Riihimäki 

Reconnaissance tactical radio training is provided at:

  • the Karelia Brigade
  • the Kainuu Brigade
  • the Jaeger Brigade
  • the Pori Brigade
  • the Utti Jaeger Regiment

Logistics and combat service support

Kaksi sotilasta kyykyssä panssarivaunun päällä Logistics and combat service support (CSS) units sustain maneuvering forces’ combat effectiveness. To force protect their own operating, the logistics and combat service support units are also capable of fighting in accordance with infantry base plan and tactics, techniques and procedures. 

To sustain maneuvering forces’ combat efficiency, logistics and combat service support supply and maintain materiel, transport, provide medical care, and sustain soldiers’ operating capability by means of field services. Supplies include stockpiling and distribution of class V ammunition and class III petrol, oil and lubricants to maneuvering forces. 

Maintenance involves, for instance, servicing and repair of weapons and vehicles. Transports involve transfer of materiel and personnel timely to set locations. Medical support is tasked to provide care to and evacuate the injured, ill, and wounded from clearance stations to medical facilities. Field services include, among other, field feeding and water capacity sustainment. 

Logistics and combat service support units’ training equipment includes modern heavy-transport combinations and cargo-handling equipment, tactical tractors with container trailers, light utility tactical vehicles (ATVs), a host of containers, maintenance vehicles, and modern repair tools. Medical support utilises modern field medicine stations and ambulances. Logistics and combat service support units’ command and control equipment has been modernised to meet the requirements of combat service support supply chain and modern battlefield. 

It is possible to specialise in combat service support also in other units than those of logistics and combat service support. A part of the mission tasks set for wartime personnel in all branches and services are combat service support tasks. 

Logistics and combat service support conscripts are trained at:

  • the Kainuu Brigade (Kuopio CSS Battalion)
  • the Karelia Brigade (Karelia CSS Battalion)
  • the Armoured Brigade (Parola CSS Battalion)
  • the Pori Brigade (Southwest Finland CSS Battalion)
  • the Guard Jaeger Regiment
  • the Jaeger Brigade
  • the Army Academy
  • brigade-level units of several branches and services