Our country might be cold, dark and harsh for most of the year. But it is ours and we will forever protect it.

Bigger artillery than french and germany combined. While 280k is the wartime strength there are about 900k trained reserves also.

Only have one thing to say, as a Swede, about the Finns: They are hard as steel and invincible. They are my beloved and respected brother people of the East, with experience. Sweden may have lagged behind, BUT! We have the ability to produce fighter planes and other world-leading weapons. We have the world's, according to US naval experience, the world's best submarine (quietest and impossible to detect). We sell the best of the best guns to the United States. BUT! In the end, it comes down to how willing we are to fight.

Finns are born to be warriors. It's in the blood. Most peace loving people, but never piss them off.

Finland, it's not a country with an army. It's an army with a country!

Worth mentioning is that Sweden, Finland, Denmark and Norway signed a agreement last year to Unify Nordic Airforces, and Sweden and Finland already have a similar thing about our navy!

I’ve been to Finland. It’s a beautiful country, with beautiful people. It’s impressive that with a population of just over 5 million citizens that their military is bigger than the British.

Having Finland as our neighbour has been an amazing relationship historically, and perhaps at it strongest today. Greetings from Estonia.

I love reading all of these comments about Finland here. I feel so proud and honoured. We will fight for this country!

Finnish people are some of the kindest I’ve ever met. Also, would never mess with them.

I'm Swedish. But I know Finland have a awsome power at the border! Hugs and love from Sweden!

That is an Finnish variant of AK47. It's called RK95 and it's seen as the Mercedes Benz of AK:s. The Israelian Galil is based of the Finnish AK/RK.

The Artillery of Finland is infact the most massive in whole western Europe

The wartime size of the Finnish military is a bit below 300k solders, but the total size of the reserve force is almost 1M, which was not mentioned IIRC...

I used to visit my great grandparents as a kid up in Northern Ontario Canada. (A lot of Finns moved up there as it has similar weather/Terrain (Finland) & Logging work). I would read Finnish magazines (Some English in them) they had mailed from homeland. One article had a nationwide poll result. They asked what they would do If Finland was ever invaded. 85% of Finns indicated that they would fight to the death. Holy S^#t. I suspect the attitude has not changed.

Never never ever pick a fight with a Fin - everybody here in the nordics knows this!

Russia having war flashbacks of the snow speaking Finnish: 😰😰😰😰

Russia will never attack Finland. They have learned that lesson long ago during the winter war. Also to point out Finland have the biggest artillery in Europe. Also an attack on Finland would mean an attack on your "brother" as we say. Sweden would respond in 100% to help. That means all men from cabin and houses would just take up arms and go there. And we would be on the move even if our government wants it or not.

US Army tanker here. I am no longer in the military, but have equipment I've peaced together throughout the years for "just in case" purposes. Some of the gear is Finnish. The US may have the biggest military, but some of the Finnish kit is unmatched.

russia: No country can join NATO without my consent. Finland: Hold my beer!

As commented earlier, Finland is one of the few European countries that never waived conscription. Almost every healthy Finnish man (optional for women) receives 6 months to 1 year of effective military training, depending on their wartime mission. That's why Finland has, in addition to that 280,000 wartime strenght, at least in theory almost 900,000 men and women with military training in the reserve. Finland has basically been preparing for Russian aggressions since World War II.

Finland's first impact on NATO was making sure We got Sweden up of its arse and on the move. Took some effort from them at first but they finally arrived

You should definetly react to puolustusvoimat - taistelukenttä 2020 video. It's realistic video with real people and real news readers how a war might start in Finland. It was made by Finnish defence forces before Ukraine war started. It's really a bit weird to watch now after these events how precise some things are in there.

In Finland it's a tradition to share the stories from the time in the army/during conscription. It's a cornerstone of a conversation between men.

Worked with the Fins a couple of times, fkn mental, it's like signing arctic Gurkhas. Also, check out the winter war 1938, the Fins didn't need any allies to kick Russia's a**

15:52 The F/A 18's will be replaced by F35's. They have been in service from mid 1990's, and the techno-economic lifespan is ending in 2030's. Various systems have been replaced and upgraded regularly throughout the years, but the losd-bearing structural parts of the airframe also have a limited lifespan. Replacing those would not be viable.

Our war time strenght is 280 000 but our back reserve is 900 000. And it's well trained & motivated reserve. We are militarily a bit like "Northern Israel".

I was nine yrs old, my grandpa said to me here is an air-rifle for you, and he learned me to shoot. Then I turned 12yrs. my grandpa said here is my gun, and learned it me as well. Grandpa got to war with russia, n served four yrs. in a row. He said many times to me, never turn your back to russia, they never change. It´s sad n we see it now. But we are ready here in Finland, my two daughters know how to keep it cool, they know also how to shoot and fight if necessary, and the most important they are ready. 👍🇫🇮

How many soldiers does finland have? I don't know - How many people live in Finland? 5,5 mill. Well, then they have about 5 million soldiers.

07:03 Finland has already signed an agreement with the US in December of last year granting access to 15 bases for the U.S military. Nordic Response 24 was held in Finland, Sweden and Norway. Around the area where all these countries meet up north.

It's not about weapon systems. It's about them working together. Unison is the thing.

The guns aren't AK's, they are a lot better! It's is RK62 7,62mm(RK=Rynnäkkökivääri=assault rifle) or some newer variant. Based on AK but made in Finland by Valmet and later versions by Sako. Forgotten Weapons-channel has made good videos about it if you are interested.

The Sisu movie is finnish film with finnish crew and was directed by Jalmari Helander (finnish director)

15:23 that is a Mirage 2000RDI of the French Air Force, it is a twin seat variant of the highly capable Mirage 2000 fighter.

Not sure whether you are aware of Finland's underground city and bunker system. There is an underground city under Helsinki capable of holding the whole population and thousands of underground bunkers under the rest of Finland. There are a number of videos on UKposts giving more details.

I am a HUGE believer in conscription for both men AND women. 2 yr commitment- the first 6 months is entry training, the next 1 1/2 serving. You have to leave your "bubble", you meet people from all different backgrounds and learn to work together as a team, you learn discipline. You learn that it's hard work that brings rewards not entitlement.

You should check out Patria AMOS and NEMO mortar systems.

The RK-62 (and its newer versions from the 90's) is the primary assault rifle used by all branches of the Finnish defense force and it is indeed based on the AK. It's pretty much the best version of the AK, if you don't count the narrower caliber guns. The 7.62 might be a bit too large especially for armour piercing, but other than that it's excellent. It isn't actually an AK variant, but rather an emulation of it. It's built from the ground up, not upon AK parts but rather the function and shape of the AK. And allegedly the Israeli Galil was actually designed upon the RK design or one of the Polish designs, and not a true AK.

Sisu is mythical thing that most of finns are born with. We are used to moments when things go bad, but we Never give up.

When the Ukraine war started and a lot of Finns updated their reservist status, a branch in Turku had a call from an older gentleman who asked if there is something he could do to help. After bit more chat they had to decline. "You did your part in the Winter War, nothing more is asked of you sir." Veteran of WW2 called and asked to help, as is their way.

You mentioned the snow as a bad thing. Knowledge of fighting and defending in really harsh winter conditions is really one of the biggest things that we bring to NATO.

Watch a video about what happened the last time Russia tried to conquer Finland. The Finns kick ass and take names. In every way. From Iowa............................John

"Finns are born to be warriors. It's in the blood. Most peace loving people, but never piss them off." Yes, well said

Enjoying your videos! It's understandable that Sweden has an army lower in numbers and very specialized in navy and air power, because Finland is the big ice wall keeping the bad from marching in from the East. Sweden is nestled between impenetrable walls from both sides. Nordics have their own ammo production (Nammo, owned by Finland and Norway), Sweden produces the best IFVs in the world (CV90 with all variants), Finland (patria) produces the best APC's in the world. You asked in one video if the Finns were shooting with HIMARS. No, the fire in that clip was GRADS I think, but Finland has 40+ upgraded m270s which is just a tracked base for 12 rocket launching compared to 6 that HIMARS shoots. Or if shooting ATACMS or Prsms, HIMARS can launch one and m270 launches 2. Russia has almost nothing except nukes to really touch Finland that much. Their hypersonic missiles are being shot down by older patriot missiles, Finland would have David's sling with stunner missiles, 5th generation defense. And of course everything the F-35 brings. Finland has like 200 jassm-er cruise missiles. Gabriel V missiles for navy (easily within range from any vessel in russias Baltic sea navy). Finland has been preparing and wargaming at the border for 80 years. It would look silly if Russia made a move

Well. 5,5 million people and 1300km long border with a country that been hostile hundreds of years to varying degrees... conscription and mandatory service is the only solution. And Finland clearly remembers Soviet Union and World War 2, and how useful artillery was and clearly still is.

And to add to the SAAB mystery, not only they produce the Gripen, they also make the submarines that "sunk" a US aircraft carrier in exercise. They make radar systems for many navy. And the torped 47 which is like a 5th generation torpedo that they share with Finland

10:50 These are RM-70 launchers and fires dummy rockets. But we do have also M270 tracked launchers, which use the same laucher module as HIMARS.

I watched Sisu, it was a magnificent film.

12:55 As long as its not spring. During winter the ground is hard, ther's of course snow to get through, but there's snow boots to aid movement, and heavy machinery can move in snow provided they have proper tiers and tracks over sprocket wheels. But in the spring, when snow starts to melt and everythings wet, the ground is mushy. That's where the issues start. Not that i know much about any of that, i was a driver in finnish army during conscription, so all i know is that with chains over the wheels and four drive, a truck can go through quite a difficult terrain.

Nice video..Thanks! One correction..since 1965 Finland have been using their own rifle Sako 7,62 RK 62..which design is based on russian AK47 though.

Finland has the legacy hornets at the moment. They will be replaced by the F-35A's. The old planes are at the end of their life hour vice. The plane you were wondering what it is, was French Mirage-2000, their air forces nuclear capable jet. Then the "sleeker" one was Rafale.

On 3:30 the guy has a patch from a Estonian joint exercise called Siil(big exercise that takes place every 3-4 years and all over Estonia with all the currently stationed countries units). Thumbs up for the northern brothers!

the rifles you questioned in the beginning are Sako RK 95 TP, a modernized version of the Sako RK 62.

Been 5 times. Love the place.

I'm an American living in Finland and I can tell you, there will be an American Base in Finland. It's already been talked about and approved.

You're right the RK62 Finland uses is am AK variant. The Sako m23 I think is the new service rifle for both Fin and Swe (AR variant,)

Even more so now that Sweden has also joined, the entirety of the Baltic sea other than the little bit of the Gulf of Finland near St Petersburg are NATO controlled waters. Sweden is already talking about jointly heavily fortifying Gotland to serve as base for guarding the whole region.

Customs and border guards have the capability to work along side military units. They train together every year on multiple occasions.

9:43 I didn't notice this until you pointed it out, prompted me to do a little googling because I had a feeling maybe it was based on the Israeli Galil but it turns out the RK actually inspired the Galil

> deep deep forest area. Finland is called 'land of thousand lakes'. From military view however it is the bogs and lakes and large forests that is the thing. This place is basically a very nasty place to fight. Which is seen in equipment that every man has. And the RK rifle as well with standard Interchangeable parts, none of that AK jank where parts might not entirely fit.

Also Finland has had joint exercises with NATO forces for years and years for the huge annoyance of Russia

You'll LOVE Finland!

For bases the last I heard was that there will come a NATO airbase in the north, probably because Norway and Sweden has mountains in the north so its kinda the last flat land. Then probably there will be barracks and such for training "Rovajärvi is the main artillery practice range of the Finnish Army. At 1,110 square kilometres (430 sq mi) area, it is the largest practice range of the Finnish Defence Forces, and the largest such range in western Europe.". I assume they want to defend the airfield also so some defense. Åland would be a great spot for a navy base but they would probably have to agree to it. Like why even keep it demilitarized when every promise has been broken and the whole archipelago would make a great place to build a defensive barrier at to defend the sea behind it(Sweden or more Stockholm would probably be happy to have one there too). In a war it would be used and defended because its just a natural barrier(I don't think there is even one person that would think that Russia wouldn't go for it if it wasn't defended). Like USA have the right to build 15 installations but most will probably be a bit like in Norway so storages. So I assume the only permanent personnel will be the service crew for the planes or dunno if Finland takes that responsibility. I think the bigger real base will be on Gotland but I assume the last stop before entering the Arctic region that has almost no land without ice is important too now that China even is trying to claim the region and the ice is melting.

The Finnish Defense Force has it's own UKposts channel called Combat Camera. Much of this footage is taken from their own channel. you should do a reaction video on their Battlefield 2020 ukposts.info/have/v-deo/moSei3mZmo-ow2w.htmlsi=6GIZkeyOlX7Rpykv which effectively shows you what Finland would do if we were ever attacked.

Rk 95 is the fastest shootin for having basically no recoil and the most reliable machined framend ak variant ever made check it out

MUST CORRECT THE ERROR REGARDING THE SISU-MOVIE. The director is Jalmari Helander, he has other films like, Rare Export and Big Game

Sisu was produced by same guy directed John Wick, but it was directed by same Finnish guy, Jalmari Helander, who directed Rare Exports (Ancient monster Santa Claus horror movie based on Krampus myth etc) where same actor was main character (btw, director's son was second main character in Rare Exports and also plays as the gunner or driver in Sisu)

If you check out the Lightweight Fighter Program, the F-18 was an evolution of the YF-17 (which lost the LWF contest to the F-16).

Just adding a small news tidbit: Finland has been building hundreds of fortifications everybyear since invasion of Ukraine in key areas, enforcing already built fortifications. Finland's geography is also very difficult for mechanized assault and tank formations Russian army had been using in Ukraine. Russian army still trains soviet era location's combat suiting in Eestern Europe and Ukraine, not what georgraphy is like Fenno-Scandia.

Pretty sure the training exercise was in Finland too, my friends bf was called up to northern finland (he had already finished his militery service like, 5 years ago) and he wasnt allowed to tell anything about it on the phone

Finland has good neighbours. Brothers like sweden and norway.

4:00 Those werent AKs. They were upgraded versions of them calle RK-62/RK-95. They are the best AK type rifle out there

NATO's weakest link? That would be Canada. Big country; puny, antiquated military.

We have trained together in Finland, mostly on the northern parts and for a reason too. Russia has their biggest submarine base on Kuola pennisula next to us and Norway.

What Putin did is what I'd describe as the impossible (kicking himself in the nuts kinda impossible) as, in his quest to not expanding Nato he achieved doing exactly that and only that :D Tho I have always said that there is couple of types of logic in the world, men's logic, women's logic and Russian logic... "Let's scare the long time non NATO Finland to not join them by attacking another of our neighbours, yeah! That'll work!"

The Nordic Response exercise took place in Finland and Norway. Yes, our equipment is good, *including* the AK (RK62, RK95, ...)

because russia hasnt had to worry about finland they have a massive military complex very close to the border, im talking massive naval bases, ICBM silos, airfields, and now with finland joining nato theres nothing between nato and those critical military targets but a few miles of dense forest. and the russian navy cant hardly leave port without the fins havin a say about it.

On the AKs, Finland has a long history of producing high quality AK variants. During the Cold War Finland tried to remain neutral and got lots of equipment from both the West and East. In an attempt to replace their old WW2 rifles they would test a whole bunch of weapons like the FAL, G3, AR-10 and AK and the AK would win. They would set up production in Finland of both AKs and 7.62x39mm ammo. Finish AKs are also well known for being of even higher quality than Russian ones and having gotten to shoot both a Finish RK-62 and a Russian AK-103 I would agree, it is smoother and easier to control.

Do search about the Sako assault riffles. They are a little more than AK variants and yes we have "high mars". Our gear has been Nato compatible like 20 years atleast.

The U.S. 2nd and 6th fleets are already both stationed pretty close by.

Hornets are replaced. Their fuselage is monocoque-structure and it worns/tires in use, and many of finnish planes are beginning to be exhausted in that respect. Fuselage has only certain amount of flight ours it can take, it's one of the most expensive part to renew - and they are not available as a spare either anymore, production line of ''plain old'' Hornet has already been dismantled.

Not HIMARS, but modernized russian GRAD-21 in that clip, but Finland have M-270 tracked version of HIMARS

Finland uses a version of aks known as RK62 and RK95, and if my memory is correct parts of the Isreali Galil rifle takes inspiration from the RK62

Check out F-18 Hornet Display RIAT 2019. our dudes are using them like they have thrust vectors

As a kid I heard a conversation between my military dad and my uncle about Finland and NATO. My dad said that Finland, Norway, and Sweden didn’t want to join NATO because of all the rules. If some threatened then they didn’t want to wait for permission to fight back. The three countries are highly motivated to get things done.

The "ak variant" you are talking about is the best variant in the world not even lying. Gun jesus ian from forgotten weapons has a video on these.

Nah, those F18's will get *replaced*, they're pretty much at end of their lifecycle

Those were not AK rifles but our version of the AK. The RK 95 i believe. Also i read somewhere that the FDF is getting a new model of an AR soon. Probably something that is compatible with the nato ammunition. Most likely with the air force "replacement" the F18 will be moved to primarily training and back up while the F35 will be the main force in identifying missions and possible war time operations. And we do have pizza hut :D Theres one not more than a mile from my place :D

Also we have the DCA-agreement with USA, also NATO-excersices. Also the "Northern Norway" included something in Finland as well ;)

15:17 That's hawk mk66 Training jet

I believe you will see a lot of NATO nations that don’t have large GDP’s start to purchase a lot of Finnish and Swedish weapons in the very near future.

Border might be long but there are only a few strong roads capable of carrying heavy vehicles passing it. Those roads are isolated from each other, and surrounded either thick forests, swamps or high rocks.

And also about our Air Force: we simply *cannot afford* to have those 70's Hornets (upgraded, ofc) with F-35's. However... Sweden's Gripen's, Norway's F-35's and Finnish F-18's (and F-35's that are coming) there is immense amounts of diversity and capability. Oh, don't forget the Eurofighter Dassault's Mirage, which both have been used in Finland on joint trainings - probably other's as well, can't keep track on 'em all. In anyway, we got a road network that has a lot of places we can use as jet airstrips if need be and our system is very dispersed as is Sweden's - meaning it's pretty much impossible to take out all of our air power in one strike, or even ten strikes. It might not be too many planes, but used well together with AA and allied forces? I don't think it even could be defeated as such.

Well, about Finnish military and history of Finnish soldiers: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hakkapeliitta

Not sure if this was commented on before, but Finnish F-18 Hornets will reach the end of their accepted operational usage parameters in few years and will be gradually retired and replaced by F-35A. First Hornet, especially heavily strained as an experiment to gather data for wear and tear was just recently designated to be dismantled for spare parts.

When you asked “What’s that?” It’s French Air Force Mirage-2000.

Those are RK 95s, conscription service weapons, but Finlands military time weapons are mostly AKs, we have a few hundred thousand of them :). We also a have a variety of other weapons in use, Sigs, H&Ks, Etc.

Technically it's not AK. Practically it is. Often titled the world's best AK. Rk-62 (or rynnäkkökivääri, or assault rifle as you wish) by Valmet. I don't know what the current model number would be, there were some 95 that had rails for night vision sight and skeleton buttstock, and I believe they have upgraded them with rails for sights aftet that as well. I believe Israeli Galil took notes from that one. For some years there's been a joint development of new, more NATO compatible assault rifle with Sweden. But yes, Rk was based on the simple and for the time being very reliable AK design, it uses the same 7,62 mm bullets that can be borrowed from Russian troops. It's just much more accurate than your usual AK and the troops are also quickly trained to be very effective with it as far as I understand the general consensus on finns. Sort of "make everyone a sniper" type of approach to gun training. I found it funny and perhaps not completely the whole story, but some years ago in a military exercise Finnish conscripts easily defended a Navy Seals landing. When it comes to NATO bases, I believe Finland was clear on not founding NATO bases inside its borders. However Finland has trained with NATO for 20 years and it seems like there's gonna be just increasing levels of trainings in the Nordic region. It's also probably interesting to foreigners how the whole society has been ingrained to defending a war, there's regular practices with companies and public places and apartment buildings have built in shelters. In fact the now former president Niinistö was asked to deliver a report on how other countries could integrate defense in their society like Finland has done. And please look up Åland/Ahvenanmaa, it's a really odd and funky situation that was perhaps a result of the "Finlandization" politics where the being neutral was also being very polite and favourable to Russia. Similarly Gotland seems really critical. Now Nordics/Baltics also have a lot of F-35 and can plan the maintenance and operations cross countries, at the moment the headquarters sort of place is planned to Norway as I read from a newspaper. When it comes to adding them to the F-18, I believe they're gonna be at the end of their cycle as the F-35 delivery is finished. The former prime minister slipped to Zelenskiy that Finland could look into giving them the old F-18 before consulting anybody, and the response was that firstly that'll be years away and until then the fighters are needed, but it's also not at all clear that there will be anything to give away when the time is. So with a grain of salt they will be kept as backups. Part of the difficulty in killing Finnish air force is also in that to my understanding that you can't bomb every road in Finland, supposedly there's a lot of road take off places. And the Finnish presence is particularly important for NATO, both air and sea, because Estonia doesn't have any air force worth mentioning and doesn't seem to sport a meaningful navy in the baltic sea. So Finland would be taking a lot of weight on the shoulders in that sense in the region (with Sweden of course). And with the F-35 purchase Finland was one of the few countries whose military budget met or exceeded the NATO requirement of GDP%. Basically Finland has been prepared for solo defense against invasion from east since 1945, which can't be said about probably any other country in the Europe. Finland didn't join NATO to start preparing the military, completely ill prepared and hoping for others to save the asses, it was actually "just" an alliance of an already prepared country.

8:24 Those number are somewhat underestimated. Yes - FDF planned to downsize the numbers of the active, "1st strike capable" reserves from the old 500k men, to mere half, just before Russia attacked Ukraine for the first time back in 2014. BUT, those half a million already trained, older generation troops are still lurking among us. And like many official sources confirm, in total SHTF situation, the number of armed Finnish fighters can be cranked up to whooping 900k men. That's 1/5th of the whole population, yo! In general, military service and defense of fatherland are core parts of the Finnish culture. The 2022 Russian assault really hit too close home.

No the exercise are noty over There will be an exercise going through out May. With multi Exzercise areas from north Norway sweden and also be in the baltic states and Sweden " Steadfast defender"