Maanpuolustus

Maanpuolustus, or land defense, is the Finnish concept of national defense that seeks to deter aggression and safeguard Finland's independence and constitutional order. It integrates military strength with civilian preparedness and relies on the participation of the whole society. The framework is steered by the Government and the Ministry of Defence and carried out mainly by the Finnish Defence Forces, the Border Guard, and related authorities.

Military defense: The cornerstone is universal national service, producing a large reservist component. Finnish men and, in some cases, women perform conscription or civilian service, creating trained reserves ready for territorial defense and crisis management. The Finnish Defence Forces organize training, maintain ready forces, and coordinate with civil authorities in emergencies.

Civilian defense and resilience: Civil preparedness covers critical infrastructure protection, energy and food security, evacuation planning, and sheltering. Municipalities, businesses, and voluntary organizations contribute to resilience. In Finland, civilian defense training is also provided by Maanpuolustuskoulutusyhdistys (MPK) and similar entities to broaden readiness across society.

Organization and international context: The system is implemented through interlinked agencies, including the Defence Forces, the Border Guard, and emergency services, under the oversight of the Ministry of Defence and Parliament. Since the 2020s, Finland's NATO membership has further shaped defense planning and international cooperation, while maintaining a national approach to deterrence and resilience.