Tasks of the Finnish Defence Forces – where are You Going?

The Finnish Defence Forces (FDF) are tasked with the military defence of Finland, supporting other public authorities, both providing international assistance and participating in international activities, and participation in international military crisis management. The Act on the Making of Decisions Concerning the Provision of and Request for International Assistance is essential for the execution of the third of these tasks. This Act has been amended following the lessons learned from the evacuation operation in Afghanistan – but is it still necessary to understand the FDF’s provision of international assistance and participation in joint operations and other international activities as an independent task? Should these functions, rather, be seen as means to an end in their own right, and be integrated appropriately into the FDF’s remaining tasks?