Mission statement of the Ministry of Defence
The Ministry of Defence is in charge of the Finnish defence administration which is tasked with keeping Finland safe. Finland is a militarily allied country that develops its own defence capability as part of NATO’s deterrence and defence together with Allies.
The tasks of the Ministry of Defence are:
- preparation and implementation of defence policy
- homeland defence
- formation and chains of command of the Finnish Defence Forces
- coordination of total defence
- conscription system, military training and voluntary national defence
- defence policy and military dimensions of Finland’s membership in NATO
- international defence cooperation
- international defence materiel cooperation and export control of defence materiel;
- management and coordination of the work of territorial surveillance authorities
- disarmament and arms-control matters
- military crisis management and peacekeeping operations, provision of international assistance, cooperation and other international activities
- urban and environmental matters of the branch of government and
- promotion of the legacy of war veterans.
Finland’s accession to NATO changed the role of the Ministry of Defence: besides national defence policy, the Ministry is now increasingly focused on the continued integration of Finland’s defence system with NATO and on Finland’s full participation in NATO’s defence policy and military efforts. This is reflected in all the Ministry’s activities. In NATO, the Ministry of Defence is responsible for matters concerning the Alliance’s deterrence and defence.
The Ministry of Defence guides and directs the activities of the Finnish Defence Forces. Assisted by Defence Command Finland, the Commander of the Finnish Defence Forces has direct command and control of the Finnish Defence Forces.
The Ministry of Defence employs approximately 170 people. This figure includes about 20 military posts.