Puolustusvoimien

Puolustusvoimat, or the Finnish Defence Forces, is Finland's national military organization responsible for defending the country, protecting its territorial integrity, and assisting civil authorities in emergencies. It operates under the authority of the Ministry of Defence and is led by the Commander of the Finnish Defence Forces. The Defence Forces comprises three service branches: Maavoimat (Army), Merivoimat (Navy), and Ilmavoimat (Air Force).

In peacetime, it conducts training and operations through conscripts and volunteers, while in crisis it can mobilize reserves to augment regular forces. The system of conscription plays a central role in readiness; men are typically called to service, and since the 1990s women have been able to volunteer for military service. Debates have periodically discussed broader gender-based conscription but such changes have not been implemented nationwide.

Finnish forces participate in international missions and exercises and collaborate with European Union, United Nations, and NATO partners. Following Finland's accession to NATO in 2023, cooperation with alliance members has intensified, aligning planning and operations with Western interoperability standards.

Historically, Finland gained independence in 1917 and built its defence through conflicts surrounding the Second World War. After the Cold War, the Defence Forces undertook modernization to prioritize mobility, readiness, and interoperability with Western equipment and partners. Current policy emphasizes readiness, cyber and space resilience, and robust ties with domestic industries to sustain capabilities in both conventional and hybrid threat environments.