Kaakko 19

Organised in the region of Southeast Finland from 27 November to 4 December 2019, the Finnish Defence Forces’ main exercise Kaakko 19 aims to train utilising the Finnish Defence Forces’ joint operating capabilities with the Finnish Border Guard and readiness in responding in rapidly evolving situations in the area of Southeast Finland.

Incorporating up to around 12,000 persons at a time, the training exercise will include altogether 6,200 conscripts, 3,200 reservists and 2,600 service personnel partaking from the Finnish Defence Forces and from the Finnish Border Guard. The exercise will also involve a total of circa 2,200 vehicles. The exercise troops will be from the Finnish Army, Navy and Air Force, Defence Command and its subordinate establishments as well as from the Finnish Border Guard. The Exercise Director will be Commander of the Finnish Army, Lieutenant General Petri Hulkko.

As part of this exercise, the Finnish Defence Forces will undertake training in the region of Valkeala, Savitaipale, Taipalsaari, Mikkeli, Mäntyharju, Lappeenranta, Hamina, Kotka and Porvoo. In addition, exercise activities will be conducted in the coastal areas of Southern and Southeastern Finland (Upinniemi-Kotka-Hamina) and in the Archipelago Sea and the Gulf of Finland.

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