Finland’s military sets up rapid deployment force: report
Some Finnish conscripts have been offered the opportunity to commit to fronting up for service more quickly than required by law.
The Ukraine crisis has provided one incentive for the creation of a rapid deployment force.
In spring the Finnish Defence Forces established a new rapid deployment force, according to national daily Helsingin Sanomat. Changes in the operational environment and the crisis in Ukraine are cited as key reasons for the initiative.
“We must ensure that we have response times that accord with what the environment seems to require,” said Colonel Mika Kalliomaa in an interview with Helsingin Sanomat.
In effect, the change means that selected conscripts have been offered the chance to commit to fronting up for service sooner than legally required.
Related stories from around the North:
Denmark: Nordics to step up security cooperation on perceived Russian threat, Yle News
Finland: Finland considers new combat aircraft, Yle News
Norway: Norway must ramp up military in response to Russia: report, Barents Observer
Russia: Russia responds to Arctic NATO drill, Barents Observer
Sweden: NATO question lingers for Sweden, Radio Sweden
United States: U.S. Arctic rep: Russia’s Arctic buildup not necessarily martial, Alaska Public Radio Network
