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The Finnish Defense Forces is a cadre army of 16500, of which 8700 professional soldiers, with a standard readiness strength of 34,700 people in uniform (27,300 army, 3,000 navy, and 4,400 air force). Finland's Defense budget equals about 1.4% of the GDP. A universal male conscription is in place, under which all men above 18 years of age serve from 6 to 12 months. However, inhabitants of Finland's Åland islands and Jehovah's Witnesses are exempt. Also a 13-month-long non-military service is possible. As of 1995, women were permitted to serve on a voluntary basis. The Defense is based on a large trained reserve. During the Cold War, Finland could have mobilized 490,000 reservists in a conflict, but this number has since been reduced to some 350,000 due to ongoing budget cuts. The Finnish Defense Forces are under the command of the Chief of Defense, who is directly subordinate to the President of the Republic in matters related to the military command. The current Chief of Defense is Admiral Juhani Kaskeala. |
Finland Information: Inside
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