Local defence exercises

The Army will exercise local defence tasks across Finland from 26 February to 11 March 2022. Undertaking training will develop the local units’ readiness to carry out local combat and protection missions as part of a wider defense effort, and also ensure fluidity of inter-agency cooperation in case of disruption. 

Organised across Finland in the weeks 9-10, altogether six local defence exercises will be participated by conscripts, reservists and service personnel from the Finnish Defence Forces, as well as by several agencies. The local defence exercises will involve circa 3,800 personnel from the Finnish Defence Forces in total. 

Local defence measures will be exercised in all of Finland. The local defence exercises will be recognisable in inhabited built-up areas with a high number of military vehicles on the move. Some of the exercises will involve flight operation activity. The training audience units will use blank ammunition that do not pose any threat to bystanders but will cause some noise.