Finland’s new defense report spells out strategy for coming decade

The government of Finland on Thursday approved and published a report on the strategic development of the country’s defense capability in the next ten years.

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According to the report, the country’s war-time defense forces count 280,000 people. A reform will divide the war-time forces into operational troops and local forces from 2025. The strength of the local forces will be increased starting in 2025 and they will be given new tasks. Local defense is being developed into a military capability encompassing the entire country.

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The report says that Finland maintains “the possibility of seeking membership in NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization).” Finland is not a member country of NATO but has an “enhanced opportunity partner” status with the organization.