Why Finland Has Europe's Most Capable Military, Explained

[eetukinnunen]

No one in Finland is worried, nor scared. We are simply prepared.

[Repsikka]

It's not rocket science how Finns managed to get this fire power. During the early 90's when soviet union collapsed, when the rest of Europe was singing Scorpions Wind of change, we bought all the artillery and other weapons that Germany was basically giving away, naively thinking that russians wouldn't be a threat anymore.

[halkopop]

Did you know Finland shares over 1, 300 kilometers of border with Russia? People ask, 'Isn't that scary?' Well, you'd have to ask the Russians.

[tapiosiren]

My grandparents and parents allways said: Never trust the Russians.

[novoiperkele]

In Finland if you see a Finnish male over 20, he most likely knows how to shoot a bazooka.

[hugodesrosiers-plaisance]

Finland:
Everyone who knows how to fight knows exactly where to go and what to do.
Everyone who doesn't know how to fight also knows exactly where to go and what to do.
And every single Finn can do all of that while half drunk and telling extremely bad dad-jokes to each other.
Russia has exactly zero chance against them.

[jarnen]

We're not worried, we're ready.

[paullavallee]

After seeing Russia's performance in Ukraine they would have no chance against the Fins

[davidlanders]

Just got back Helsinki where I was able to talk to Finnish citizens. Finns are pragmatic, calm and prepared. They understand the odds, yet have faith in their neighbors and government. One thing that was quite obvious that conscription and training was not seen as a burden, but that of responsibility. Needless to say I was very impressed by both Finland and the Finnish.

Just a not I believe that conscription for a short time for initial trading and ongoing participation is a socially binding event that we are lacking here in the US

[tuijasaari]

Finland never did the same mistake as the rest of Europe: we never started believing that suddenly Russia is a kind and democratic country which respects their neighbours.

[mattdylla]

Finland doesn't fight.

Finland hunts.

[TheSpiikki]

Finland also has one of the highest number of guns per capita in the EU, primarily due to hunters. So, even if Russia managed to wipe out our military (which is impossible without the use of nukes), it would lead to intense guerrilla warfare, with numerous small rivers, ponds, lakes, swamps, and dense pine forests everywhere, not to mention the cold, snowy winters. basically a combination of Afghanistan and Vietnam + snow.

And Finland is not alone. Even without NATO. Sweden, Norway, and the sweet little Estonia would undoubtedly come to our aid if the need ever arose, as would Finland if the same happened to any of these countries.

[scanpolar]

Patriotism based on green values, high social security, human rights and SOLID DEMOCRACY is worth of fighting for.

[finnstralian]

In Finland, windows that face east are called firing points.

[kristofferhellstrom]

A Swede here. Yes, Finland is the most capable. Now Sweden is looking to Finland on how they are doing things. "You don't go to war with the army you want but the army you have". Sweden have much to learn and not much time.

[csegchx]

Remember couple years ago when we had "HAMMER 22" excersise, british general was surprised how fast and well organized finnish reservists were. From arriving to base in less than 24h we were already in combat eventhough we had to travel across the country from east to west. Also the difficult flanking manouvers with large amount of people (company size movement while rest of battalion sticks to delay the enemy) during the combat were successful.

[ilmarisarjakoski]

Going to the army with the boys gives you a feeling of truly belonging in the society and even a new meaning in your life. It itself makes the society a lot more unified and resilient. Low corruption, clean nature and trust with eachother makes a country I’d be proud to defend. Suomi perkele.

[mikorossi]

It is almost always unknown how well trained Finnish soldiers are. The Swedish General said that the Finnish conscripts he trains together with the Swedish professional soldiers are as good as the Swedes, but the Finns are tougher and the Finns are more multitasking soldiers.

[lacai]

Most countrys have army, in Finland an army has a country. My conscript time was one of best times of my life, sure it sucked to barely get food or sleep for 30 hours in -30c, but would i had never ever experienced it whitout it? no, it gave me many unpleasant moment but many good moments also.

[hakankarlsson]

Finland has the manpower and Sweden has the military and industrial capability. We would never abandon our Finnish brothers in the east.