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Local defence exercises The Army will be training local defence across Finland 2-9 September 2022. The exercises will improve local troops’ readiness to carry out local combat and protection tasks and strengthen the authorities’ abilities to coope...

12.2.2026 | The Army will exercise local defence during 20.2.–6.3.2026. The series of exercises will be participated by altogether up to c. 3,500 soldiers, a number of other authorities, as well as business sector organisations from across Finland.

18.3.2026 | The French and Finnish Armies are strengthening their long cooperation on training, exercises and operations. The 27th Mountain Infantry Battalion, which is trained to operate in winter conditions, will maintain a company-group with the Jaeger Brigade in Northern Finland until May.

12.2.2026 | The local defence exercise ”Karelian Stone 26” will be held in areas of Lappeenranta, Taipalsaari, Savitaipale, and Imatra during 2–6 March 2026.

The Finnish Army’s major project over the next decade aims for reforming the entire land defence. Implemented between 2025 and 2035, development work is to build on a realistic threat assessment, technological progress, and close cooperation with allies and the defence industry.

25.11.2025 | The national parade on the Independence Day 6 December will affect traffic and parking arrangements in Kouvola. During the parade events, the public is kindly asked to move on foot downtown, in the area of the Finnish baseball stadium, Sumulaaksonkatu, Salpausselänkatu, and Kymen Lukko.

3.11.2025 | The Finnish Defence Forces will celebrate the 108th Independence Day of Finland by way of a national parade on 6 December in Kouvola. The theme of the parade is We defend Finland together. The review of troops will take place at Kouvola Finnish baseball stadium, and the pass in review on Salpausselänkatu. The Finnish Defence Forces’ and other agencies’ equipment and activity will be available for familiarisation at Sumulaakso. The events are free of charge.

The Finnish Defence Forces will shift to using the NATO-standard calibres 5.56x45mm, 7.62x51mm, 9x19mm, and 12.7x99mm for new small arms. The decision taken will improve, among other, the soldier’s operating capability, interoperability, and security of supply.

8.5.2025 | On Commemoration Day of Fallen Soldiers on Sunday 18 May, a national military funeral with full honours will be held in Lappeenranta for 26 unidentified Finnish soldiers recovered from former battle sites in Russia. The event will be arranged in co-operation by the Finnish Defence Forces, City of Lappeenranta, Evangelical Lutheran Parishes’ Union in Lappeenranta, and Association for Commemoration of the Fallen.

6.12.2024 | Esteemed veterans of our wars, esteemed representatives of the veterans’ generation, ladies and gentlemen.

10.2.2025 | The Army will organise the local defence exercises during 18.2.–7.3. this spring. From the Defence Forces, the altogether six local defence exercises will be participated by up to c. 3,000 conscripts, reservists, and service personnel, as well as more than 400 vehicles in total. As is characteristic for local defence exercises, the training audience will also include a significant number of other authorities and business sector stakeholders.

11.11.2024 | The national parade on the Independence Day of Finland is to be held in Lappeenranta on 6 December. The theme of the parade is National defence from generation to generation. The review of troops will take place at Kimpinen stadium, and the pass in review on Ainonkatu. The Finnish Defence Forces’ and other agencies’ equipment and activity will be on display at Satamatori square. The events are free of charge.

15.2.2024 | The Army will organize this spring’s local defence exercises from 1 to 8 March. Conscripts, reservists, Defence Forces salaried personnel and a considerable number of representatives of other authorities will take part in the exercises.

13.11.2023 | The National Parade on the Independence Day of Finland will be held in Oulu on 6 December. The theme of the parade is Defenders of Independent Finland. The review of troops will be held at Raati stadium, and the pass in review on the bridges of Merikoski. At Oulu market square, the Finnish Defence Forces’ and other agencies’ equipment and activity will be on display for familiarisation. The events will be free of charge.

24.11.2023 | The national parade on the Independence Day will contribute to changes affecting traffic and parking in Oulu on 6 December 2023. We recommend that you arrive on foot, by bicycle or public transport in the venue area.

24.11.2023 | The national parade on the Independence Day will contribute to changes affecting traffic and parking in Oulu on 6 December 2023. We recommend that you arrive on foot, by bicycle or public transport in the venue area.

21.8.2025 | The Utti Jaeger Regiment will lead an international special operations forces training exercise during 25 August – 12 September 2025. The exercise will develop the combined joint operating capability of special forces of the Alliance’s member nations in Northern Europe’s conditions.

10.2.2025 | The Jaeger Brigade -led Lapland Stone 25 -local defence exercise will be held in the regions of Haaparanta, Tornio, Keminmaa, and Kemi during 18.–23.2.2025.

6.12.2024 | Field devotional, Senior Military Chaplain of the Army Sanna Timonen

26.11.2024 | The national parade on the Independence Day 6 December 2024 will affect traffic and parking in Lappeenranta. During the parade events, the public is kindly asked to move on foot downtown, in the area of Kimpinen, on Ainonkatu, and at the harbour.