The Army is further divided into six branches:
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2 Equipment 3 Tables of Organization and Equipment |
Western Command
Organisation
The Army is organised into three commands: western, eastern and northern. The
commands are responsible for the defence and planning in their areas. The commands are further divided into twelve military provinces which are responsible for conscription, mustering of troops in wartime, organizing the local defence and aiding the voluntary defence organizations.
Eastern Command
Northern Command
The Utti Jaeger Regiment which trains Airborne Jaegers is directly under the Defence Staff. Since 1998 the Uusimaa Brigade is part of the Finnish Navy.
Equipment
Armour
Also in use are different models of the Patria Sisu XA-series (Sisu XA-185). BMP-1 assault tanks are used by the armoured jaeger companies and BMP-2s are used by armoured recon and armoured anti-tank companies. New Swedish Combat Vehicle 90s have been ordered for the Readiness brigades.
Air-defence
Protection of important targets are handled by Crotale AA missile systems mounted on Sisu XA-180 armoured vehicles. Helsinki and other important targets are protected by late-generation Russian AA missile system BUK M1 (SA-11). Close-range AA support for troops is provided by 23 mm twin-barrel AA cannons and shoulder-fired Igla missiles.
Artillery
Brigades are equipped with 152 mm howitzers. Army corps are supported by 155 mm field cannons and 122 mm multiple rocket launchers. Armoured brigades are equipped with Soviet produced armoured howitzers (122mm 2S1 and 152mm 2S5). Brigades are also equipped with 81mm and 120mm mortars.
In wartime, the army is composed of Jaeger, Infantry and Armoured Brigades. Jaeger and infantry brigades are similar, except that infantry brigades are equipped with older materiel. Three of the Jaeger brigades are special Readiness brigades with rapid reaction capability. They are lighter, more mobile and more heavily armed than the ordinary jaeger brigades, and have a higher proportion of regular to reservist personnel; there is one readiness brigade for each of Finland's 3 territorial commands.
Anti-tank weapons
Infantry weapons
Helicopters
Soviet produced Mi-8 helicopters are used by the army for transport, hoisting and rescue services.Tables of Organization and Equipment
Jaeger Brigade
Total strength about 5300 men and 900 vehicles.Materiel
Armoured Brigade
Total strength about 5700 men.