The most important task of the Defence Forces is the military defence of Finland.

The Finnish Defence Forces and NATO’s support for military defence

• Military national defence safeguards Finland’s independence, its territorial integrity and the livelihoods of its citizens. General conscription will remain in place even as Finland is a NATO member.

Support for military defence provided by NATO membership:

• Finland is part of NATO’s collective defence and is protected by NATO’s security guarantees. This strengthens the preventive effect of Finland’s military defence.
• With NATO membership, Finland gains access to military capabilities that it would otherwise not be able to acquire independently. These include reconnaissance, air surveillance (AWACS), space and submarine capabilities.

Military national defence is developed as part of NATO’s deterrence and defence, and by participating in deepening NATO integration, advancing modernisation, and supporting ongoing transformation.