FINLAND - The Winter War 1939 -> NATO member 2023 - general matter about Finland

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Finland, Norway, Sweden and Lithuania are planning to jointly procure hundreds of CV90 infantry fighting vehicles.

CV90 vehicles are manufactured by the Swedish company BAE Systems Hägglunds.

Finland already has 102 CV90 IFVs in service so this is a notable aquisition.

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This spring the training exercise entity will convene conscripts, reservists, and service personnel from the Army brigade-level units, other services, and the Finnish Border Guard. The exercises will also be participated by a significant number of personnel and equipment from the allied nations. Altogether, the spring will involve exercising up to more than 20,000 soldiers for their tasks in national defence, and for joint operating with the alliance’s troops.

maavoimat.fi

Maavoimien kevään harjoituksissa keskitytään yhteisen operoinnin vahvistamiseen

maavoimat.fi


The Army mechanized exercise Mighty Arrow 25 at the Pohjankangas Firing Range and Training Area in Niinisalo from 24 April to 13 May. Approximately 2800 persons will take part in the exercise.

maavoimat.fi

Mighty Arrow 25 vahvistaa liittouman mekanisoitujen joukkojen välitöntä toimeenpanokykyä

maavoimat.fi
International helicopter activity in Army exercises

The Army training exercise activity will involve helicopters from the British Armed Forces during 24 April – 1 June.
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If you want to follow the Finnish Defence Forces on X.com, here are a few accounts:
@Puolustusvoimat - The Finnish Defence Forces
@mpkkfi - The Finnish National Defence University.
@Maavoimat – The Finnish Army.
@MaasotaK - The Army Academy
@PSKjoht - The Commandant of the Armour School, Army Academy
@UtinJR - FDF Special Operations Forces & Helicopters
@KarjalanPR - The Karelia Brigade
@PorinPR - The Pori Brigade
@JaakariPR - The Jaeger Brigade
@KaartinJR - The Guard Jaeger Regiment
@PanssariPR - The Armoured brigade

@FinnishAirForce - The Finnish Air Force
@Navyfi - The Finnish Navy
@pvlogl - The Finnish Defence Forces Logistics Command
 
S&WshooterFIN said:
Inside the Most Prepared Country on Earth

Click to expand...


Finnish Broadcasting Corporation's news about the Northern readiness force and that American documentary
(Google transalator)
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Asevelvollisista koottu valmiusjoukko nujersi ammattisotilaat – Jääkäriprikaatissa ollaan vaatimattomia

Yhdysvalloissa pari miljoonaa ihmistä on nähnyt elokuvan, jossa ylistetään pohjoisen valmiusyksikköjä. Jääkäriprikaatissa ei kuitenkaan anneta aamukahvin mennä väärään kurkkuun.
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Sako ARG S 40 Reservist (LIMITED EDITION!)

https://sako.sakosuomi.fi/tuotteet/sako-arg-s-40-reservilainenrajoitettu-era/
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SAKO said:
You asked, we deliver. The SAKO ARG S 40 Reserviläinen is arriving on the domestic market in a limited, one-off batch. Be quick - there won't be enough of these for everyone!

The SAKO ARG S 40 Reserviläinen is a domestic AR-15-based self-loading single-shot rifle, designed for demanding use by reservists and sports shooters. The weapon combines the legendary AR structure with modern ergonomics, durability and versatile equipment.

The .223 Rem / 5.56x45 mm NATO-compatible rifle is equipped with a 16-inch barrel and a modular structure that allows for parts to be interchangeable according to the AR-15 standard. Ambidextrous controls – such as the safety, magazine release and slide latch – improve usability for all shooters.
Clear red and white markings on both sides of the weapon emphasize safety. The weapon is delivered without a scope and with a limited 10/30 magazine of 10 rounds.

The SAKO ARG S 40 is manufactured in Finland and carefully tested to ensure performance in Nordic conditions.
Click to expand...




ARG S 40 is the third reserve rifle from SAKO

Sako Oy: History and Founding
Founding: Sako Oy traces its origins to 1919, when the Finnish Civil Guard (Suojeluskunta) established a weapons repair workshop in Helsinki to refurbish rifles, mainly Russian Mosin-Nagants, from the Finnish Civil War (1918). On April 1, 1921, the workshop became financially independent, marking Sako’s official founding. In 1927, it was reorganized as Suojeluskuntain Ase- ja Konepaja Osakeyhtiö (Sako) and relocated to Riihimäki, where it acquired a factory site. Riihimäki remains Sako’s headquarters.


FIRST WAS SAKO M/28-30
The Suojeluskuntakivääri M/28-30, nicknamed "Pystykorva", is a Finnish bolt-action rifle developed in the early 1930s as an improved version of the M/28, based on the Mosin-Nagant M/1891. Primarily manufactured by Sako for the Civil Guard (Suojeluskunta) and later adopted by the Finnish Army, it was used in the Winter War, Continuation War, and Lapin War (1939–1945). Renowned for its accuracy, it was famously used by sniper Simo Häyhä.
  • Caliber: 7.62x53R Finnish (compatible with 7.62x54R).
  • Length: 119 cm; Barrel: 68.5 cm; Weight: ~4.88 kg.
  • Magazine: 5-round fixed.
  • Sights: Improved m/32 rear sight (adjustable up to 2,000 m) and m/33 front sight with eight-step adjustment.
  • Barrel: High-quality Sako-made, initially from Swedish steel, later Finnish Lokomo steel.
  • Trigger: Enhanced with a 2.1–2.6 kg pull (1935 onwards).
  • Stock: Birch, reinforced from 1935; some reused M/91 stocks.
  • Developed to address M/28’s sight and accuracy issues, it excelled in military and sport shooting.
  • Approximately 30,000 units produced (1932–1937), some converted from older rifles.
  • Adopted by the Finnish Army in 1939; influenced the later M/39 "Ukko-Pekka."
  • Known as the "Rolls-Royce" of 1930s–40s rifles due to its precision and craftsmanship.
SECOND WAS SAKO M92S
he Sako M92S, commonly referred to as the "reserviläiskivääri" (reservist rifle) in Finland, is a semi-automatic civilian version of the Finnish Defence Forces’ RK 95 TP assault rifle, which itself is an evolution of the RK 62 and RK 92 designs. Developed by Sako in the 1990s, the M92S was marketed for reservists, sport shooters, and law enforcement, offering a high-quality, Finnish-made alternative to military rifles adapted for civilian use.
Key Features
  • Caliber: 7.62x39mm (uses the same Soviet M43 cartridge as the AK-47 and RK 62).
  • Operation: Gas-operated, semi-automatic (lacks the select-fire capability of the RK 95 TP due to the absence of an automatic sear and certain trigger components).
  • Length: 930 mm; Barrel Length: 420 mm; Weight: ~3.7 kg (unloaded).
  • Sights: L-shaped rear sight with 150 m and 300 m settings (similar to RK 95 TP, with night sight adjustments moved to the front sight in later models).
  • Stock: Fixed or folding (depending on the variant, though civilian models typically lack the folding stock mechanism of the RK 95 TP).
  • Magazine: Compatible with standard 30-round AK-pattern magazines, though civilian models often include 5- or 10-round magazines to comply with regulations. Extended magazines may require an ERVA (exceptional firearms) permit in Finland.
  • Muzzle Device: Modified from the RK 95 TP to exclude rifle grenade functionality, with some models featuring threading for suppressors (e.g., BR-Tuote suppressors).
  • Other: Features a Kalashnikov-pattern long-stroke gas piston system, a rotating bolt with two locking lugs, and a hammer-type firing mechanism. The receiver has pre-drilled holes for optic rail mounts.
 
Disbandment of the Civil Guard and Founding of MPK

Disbandment of the Civil Guard:
The Civil Guard (Suojeluskunta), a voluntary defense organization established in 1918, played a significant role in the Winter War. After the Continuation War, the Soviet-led Allied Control Commission ordered its dissolution in 1944 as part of peace terms, viewing it as anti-Soviet. The organization was dismantled, and its assets, including weapons, were transferred to the state or the Finnish Red Cross.

Founding of MPK:
The Maanpuolustuskoulutusyhdistys (MPK), or National Defense Training Association, was founded in 1993 to fill the gap left by the Civil Guard’s disbandment, providing voluntary defense training. As a strategic partner of the Finnish Defence Forces, MPK offers military skills training for reservists and security courses for civilians under the Ministry of Defence’s oversight. It conducts ~2,000 courses annually for ~50,000 participants.

MPK’s Selection of SAKO ARG S 40 and Comparison to Defence Forces’ SAKO M23
SAKO ARG S 40 Selection: In 2022, MPK selected the SAKO ARG S 40 for reservist training following a €1.6M procurement process, testing 10 rifles from 7 manufacturers. Key reasons for selection:
  • Accuracy and Reliability: Passed a 20,000-round durability test.
  • AR-15 Platform: Compatible with accessories and spare parts.
  • Alignment with Defence Forces: Shares ergonomics and components with M23, streamlining training.
  • Ease of Use: Suitable for beginners and experienced shooters, adjustable for various user sizes.
  • Domestic Production: Made by Sako in Riihimäki, supporting national security of supply.
SAKO ARG S 40:
  • Caliber: .223 Rem/5.56x45mm NATO.
  • Features: Semi-automatic, 16” barrel, AR-15-based gas piston system, Magpul magazines (10/30 rounds), weight ~3.1 kg.
  • Use: MPK training for reservist basic marksmanship.
Defence Forces’ SAKO M23:
  • Calibers: 7.62x51mm NATO (KIV 23, TKIV 23) and 5.56x45mm NATO (in testing).
  • Features: Fully automatic, 11.5–18” barrels, M-LOK rails, ceramic coating, accessory support (e.g., Aimpoint sights), Magpul magazines.
  • Use: Replaces RK 62/95 and sniper rifles, adopted 2023–2026.


SAKO ARG S 40 vs SAKO M23
  • Similarities: Both AR-15/AR-10-based, short-stroke gas piston, similar ergonomics (safety, magazine release), Sako-manufactured.
  • Differences:
    • Operation: ARG S 40 semi-auto (civilian), M23 fully automatic (military).
    • Caliber: ARG S 40 only 5.56mm, M23 includes 7.62mm.
    • Purpose: ARG S 40 for training, M23 for combat and precision shooting.
    • Accessories: M23 supports broader tactical gear and harsh conditions.
MPK chose the ARG S 40 for training compatibility and alignment with the Defence Forces, while the M23 modernizes the military’s arsenal. Both enhance Finland’s domestic capabilities and reservist readiness.
 
Our language is fun

This is a joke about Russia.

Finnish - English
Tänään on meillä venäläisillä jokavuotinen "voiton päivä"! - Today is our annual "Victory Day" for Russians!

voitonpäivä - Victory Day
voiton päivä - without butter

Saisinko paketin voita - Can I have a packet of butter?
Ei sitä tänään ole - It's not today.

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Conscription is a sign that Finns still understand that a situation may arise in which they have to fend for themselves.

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Brittitutkija harmittelee, ettei Suomi juhli sodan päättymistä muiden kanssa – Helsingistä selvä vastaus

Suomenkin kannattaisi juhlistaa Euroopan voitonpäivää, vaikka olikin sodan häviäjien puolella, sanoo tunnettu sotakirjailija Tim Bouverie Ylelle Lontoossa.
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1939 Finland was alone, the West was allied with the Soviet Union
Only Germany was ready to help, of course we knew its actions, but without German help there would have been no Finland after WWII.

Fortunately today we are part of the West, thanks to the ALLIES.
 
Finnish Armoured Brigade in Mighty Arrow 25 exercise


“The most important thing I have noticed - you have a good work ethic and the right attitude - as is expected in armored forces.”
Said Lieutenant General Kari Nisula, Chief of Operations of the Finnish Defence Forces.
The firing phase of the #MightyArrow25 exercise culminated in the traditional assault firing of the mechanized combat unit's assault stage, supported by combat helicopters.
After the exercise, the unit gathered together for a promotion and award ceremony, where, under the leadership of the exercise leader, Colonel Juhana Skytän, the fighters and the best shooters who performed well during the exercise were awarded.
During the ceremony, the British combat helicopter unit brought its greetings by flying over the unit.

#StrongerTogether #PSPR #FinnishArmy

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President of Finland Alexander Stubb on Facebook:

Today, almost 10,000 people are transferring to the reserve from the Defence Forces and the Border Guard.
Over the past year, I have had the pleasure of meeting conscripts on inspection visits around Finland.
Thank you for your service and good luck in the future.

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In Finland, men are subject to military service. Conscription lasts 5.5 months, 8.5 months or 11.5 months depending on the training.
For women, service is voluntary.
Soldiers basic duties 5.5 months
Soldiers special duties 8.5 months
Soldiers demanding duties and NCOs and officers in reserve 11.5 months.
Finland has approximately 900,000 reservists.
 
We Are NATO

Nato troops will be stationed in Rovaniemi, Sodankylä​

Nato’s Forward Land Forces (FLF) will be stationed in Rovaniemi and Sodankylä, Finnish Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen (NCP) confirmed at the Nato defence ministers’ meeting in Brussels on Thursday.

www.thebarentsobserver.com

Nato troops will be stationed in Rovaniemi, Sodankylä

Nato’s Forward Land Forces (FLF) will be stationed in Rovaniemi and Sodankylä, Finnish Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen (NCP) confirmed at the Nato defence ministers’ meeting in Brussels on Thursday.
www.thebarentsobserver.com www.thebarentsobserver.com
​

 

Stubb marched with the conscripts​

Alexander Stubb took part in the decades-old tradition of the Reserve Officers' School.

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President of Finland, field uniform, plate carrier and assault rifle.

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Stubb marssi varusmiesten kanssa

Alexander Stubb otti osaa Reserviupseerikoulun vuosikymmeniä vanhaan perinteeseen.
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