Finnish Defence Forces - Peacekeeping Operations

Peacekeeping Operations

Finland has taken part in peacekeeping operations since 1956 (the number of Finnish peacekeepers who have served since 1956 amounts to 43,000). In 2003 over a thousand Finnish peacekeepers were involved in peacekeeping operations, including UN and NATO led missions. According to the Finnish law the maximum simultaneous strength of the peacekeeping forces is limited to 2,000 soldiers.

Since 1956, 39 Finnish soldiers have died while serving in peacekeeping operations

Since 1996 the Pori Brigade has trained parts of the Finnish Rapid Deployment Force (FRDF), which can take part in international crisis management/peacekeeping operations at short notice. The Nyland/Uusimaa Brigade has started training the Amphibious Task Unit (ATU) in recent years, a joint Swedish-Finnish international task unit.

Since 2006, Finland has participated in the formation of European Union Battlegroups. Finland will be participating to two European Union Battlegroups in 2011.

International operations Finland is participating by deploying military units:

• SKJK KFOR in Kosovo (250, is to be lowered to less than 50 by the end of 2010)
• SKJA ISAF in Afghanistan (165 )

International operations Finland is participating by deploying staff officers:

• EUFOR in Bosnia and Herzegovina (5 staff officer)
• EUTM in Uganda (4 staff officers and mentors)
• EUNAVFOR/OPERATION ATALANTA in Gulf of Aden Somalian coast (3 staff officers)
• UNMIL in Liberia (2)
• UNMIS in Sudan (1)

International operations Finland is participating by deploying military obervers

• UNMOGIP in India and Pakistan (5)
• UNTSO in Egypt, Israel, Lebanon and Syria (14)