Finland Times

The credibility of Finland’s national defence depends on more than just size of the defence’s wartime strength.

This was highlighted in an STT interview with members of the Parliamentary Defence Committee. They believe with the current strength, the whole country can be comprehensively defended.

Defence Minister Jussi Niinistö in the interview said the strength of Finnish wartime troops may need to be reassessed. The Armed Forces has fallen from 350,000 to 230,000 members.

According to the Defence Committee members, ensuring that the equipment used is up to date is more essential than the strength of the forces.

“First, we should think about how we’re to fund these large-scale purchases for the Army, Air Force and Marine Corps,” said Kansallinen Kokoomus (National Coalition Party) lawmaker Timo Heinonen.

Heinonen noted that the Finnish wartime troop strength is already among the Europe’s largest.

Suomen Keskusta (Centre Party) lawmaker Seppo Kääriäinen however believes that the strength of the forces should not be allowed to shrink.

“I think the whole [of the Armed Forces] must be in order, and the size of the troops is a part of that,” Kääriäinen added.

Former minister of defence Carl Haglund pointed out that the former strength was just a number on paper.

Haglund, also the chairman of the Suomen Ruotsalainen Kansanpuolue (Swedish People’s Party of Finland), said there is no way to arm, maintain and educate that many troops. 

“The current number of 230,000 is the Defence Forces’ own assessment of Finland’s realistic wartime strength,” he said.

All those interviewed agree on the difficulty in maintaining credible defences, if the defence budget continues to be slashed.

In addition to equipment, they stress the importance of keeping the troops trained for national defence.

Deputy Chairman of the Defence Committee Mika Kari of Suomen Sosialidemokraattinen Puolue (Social Democratic Party of Finland-SDP) said they can no longer afford to cut the training budget. Others agree with the deputy chairman.

“It makes no sense that we have a huge Defence Force, if their skills are not kept sharp,” said Vihreä liitto (Green League) lawmaker Krista Mikkonen.

“In addition to defence, the credibility of education and training brings a sense of security to the whole country,” said Lea Mäkipää of Perussuomalaiset (Finns Party).

Many of those interviewed also called a will to defend an essential aspect of a credible national defence.

“If the majority feel that Finnish society is worth defending, they may be our greatest strength,” observed Vasemmistoliito (Left Alliance) lawmaker Markus Mustajärvi.

All the interviewed agreed that Finland’s defence is at a credible level, despite the cuts.