Finland's latest national defence policy report, covering actions up to the end of this decade, was approved by the government on Thursday for submission to Parliament.
Presenting the policy report to the media this week, Minister of Defence Antti Kaikkonen (Cen) highlighted the growing importance of cyber defence, strategic communications and information defence.
"Our cyber defence must be strengthened and given [the needed] tools," Kaikkonen said.
In practice, upgrading capability in these areas will mean hiring additional personnel and acquiring new technology.
500 additional person-years
The report proposes an increase in staff for the Defence Forces equivalent to 500 new members by the end of the 2020s. Agreement has already been reached that hiring of the first 100 will be implemented during the current governmental term.
Kaikkonen voiced concern about staffing levels in defence administration, saying that the current number of employees is simply not enough in the long run.
While new, developing areas will receive more attention and more resources, the basis of Finland's defence will continue to be military conscription, a trained reserve, a strong will to defend the country, and the concept of nation-wide defence, according to Kaikkonen.
Concerns near and far
The report describes Finland's defence environment as being "tense and difficult to predict." It emphasises the growing strategic importance of Finland's neighbouring Arctic areas and the perception of Northern European defence as a whole.
The report furthermore points to intensified competition between the great powers affecting Finland's security. China’s rise as a global player has changed the balance of power.
"The effects of the means of influence used by China on the security of the target countries are of growing concern," said Esa Pulkkinen, Director General of the Ministry of Defence.
NATO is described in the report as an "actor promoting security and stability", and states Finland retains the option to apply for NATO membership.
The United States is mentioned as "an important and close partner for Finland". Sweden and Norway are also mentioned as important allies, with whom defence co-operation will be increased.
Regarding Russia, the policy report states, "Russia's actions ...show that its threshold for using and exerting military force...has been lowered."
"Finland is not facing any immediate military threat. However, preparations must be maintained to counter the use or threat of military force," Pulkkinen added.
Structural reform
Changes are also in the works for the force structure in the Defence Forces. In the future, wartime troops will be divided into operative and local troops.
The number of local troops will be increased beginning from 2025 by transforming the majority of the regional troops into local troops. At the same time, the range of duties of local troops will expand and the standards will rise.
The role of local forces will include co-operation with civil authorities, control and security operations and action against special forces. Operational forces will be well equipped and designed for demanding, mobile combat missions.
The change will not affect the overall strength of wartime troops, which remains at 280,000.
Cost savings imposed on the Defence Forces in previous years and the resources currently in use pose challenges in maintaining operations and preparedness at the current level, and according to the report, limit preparedness for a long-term crisis and warfare.