Division of Army troops according to the principle of use

Operational troops are wartime troops intended for use throughout the whole of Finland, and who are trained and equipped for diverse and demanding combat tasks in all conditions.

Local troops are wartime troops formed to control certain areas, protect certain targets, perform certain tasks, and support certain authorities throughout the whole of Finland. The number of these troops will be increased from 2025 onwards by reconstituting most of the regional forces into local forces.

• Local troops will be formed to cover the whole country.
• The wartime tasks will include strategic target protection, territorial control and action against enemy special forces. Under normal circumstances, local troops can be used to a limited extent to assist other authorities.
• Local troops will consist of local battalions responsible, as a rule, for only one province. The battalions may include provincial companies, for example.
• Reservists from regional and operational forces who know an operating area well will be placed in local forces. For example, some military police officers are trained directly for local troops during their military service. The services of such troops can be applied for through the regional offices of the Finnish Defence Forces.

Local defence will be developed into a nationwide set of military capabilities that will also act to prevent and counter comprehensive influencing tactics.

Exercises are important means of developing inter-authority cooperation. They will be developed to meet special regional needs and the expanding tasks related to local defence.

Provincial troops

• The overall strength of the provincial companies is approximately 5,000 soldiers. The provincial troops provide training for willing reservists.
• The provincial troops consist of persons who are committed to serving the Finnish Defence Forces in voluntary national defence. In wartime, the provincial troops will defend a specific geographical area as part of the local troops.
• The provincial troops can be trained in refresher exercises, voluntary exercises and courses organised by the National Defence Training Association (MPK). Units can be trained for both executive assistance tasks and wartime defence tasks.