As the Commander-in-Chief of the Finnish Defence Forces, the President of the Republic decides on

• the key foundations of the military defence of the State
• significant changes in military defence readiness
• the principles of implementation of military defence
• other significant command matters concerning military activities and the military order of the Finnish Defence Forces.

Administratively, the Finnish Defence Forces are subordinate to the Ministry of Defence. The Minister of Defence decides on the establishment and disbandment of garrisons and brigade-level units and other matters of social significance.

The Finnish Defence Forces are led by the Commander of the Finnish Defence Forces, who is supported by the Chief of the Defence Command and the service commanders. The National Defence University is also subordinate to the Commander of the Finnish Defence Forces. The Defence Command is the Command Staff of the Commander of the Finnish Defence Forces and is, at the same time, a central agency under the Ministry of Defence.

Peacetime organisation of the Finnish Defence Forces (links):

• The Defence Command
• The Finnish Army
• The Finnish Navy
• The Finnish Air Force
• The National Defence University

Subordinate establishments to the Defence Command:

• Finnish Defence Forces C5 Agency
• Defence Forces Shared Services Centre
• Finnish Defence Forces Intelligence Agency
• Research Institute of the Defence Forces
• Finnish Defence Forces Logistics Command