Significant cutbacks planned for Defence Forces

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The Finnish Defence Forces are to significantly scale back on personnel, and to reduce the wartime reserve. Garrisons and various military institutions are to be shut down or merged with each other. Closures of garrisons are to eliminate about 2,200 jobs.
      Chief of Defence Ari Puheloinen says that the restructuring would mean that about 1,200 people could be terminated, while about 1,000 are jobs can be cut through retirement.
      Units to be closed down at the end of 2013 include the North Karelia Brigade in Kontiolahti, the Kotka Coastal Battalion, and the Aircraft and Weapon Systems Training Wing of the Finnish Air Force.
     
By the end of the following year the Engineer Regiment in Keuruu, the Häme Regiment in Lahti, and the Training Air Wing in Kauhava.
      A number of brigades and regiments are to be merged by the end of 2014. The Hornet jet fighters of the Finnish Air Force are to be concentrated in Rissala and Rovaniemi.
      The Defence Forces are to relinquish some of their property, and the present system of military districts is to be abolished.
     
Universal male conscription will be retained, but the period of service is to be cut by 15 days.
      Minister of Defence Stefan Wallin (Swed. People’s Party) said at a press conference on Wednesday morning that improvements are in store for military training, and the relevance of military service is to be increased.
     
The state is also promising outplacement services to help personnel whose jobs are being cut.
      The government says that communities affected by closures of military facilities can be designated as areas of sudden structural change, entitling them to special assistance.
      The Defence Forces will shut down all of their operations in Kauhava, Kontiolahti, and Kotka.
     
Minister of the Interior Päivi Räsänen (Christ. Dem.) says that the communities targeted by the cutbacks were not chosen on any political basis.
      “There was no regional policy auction”, she insists.
      Prime Minister Jyrki Katainen (Nat. Coalition Party) insisted that the changes are unavoidable.
     
“The uniform of the Defence Forces will shrink, but he muscles will be more evident”, explained Defence Minister Wallin.
      The changes are part of plans to cut military spending by a total of EUR 825 million.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Finnish Defence Forces have discussed temporary layoff of entire permanent staff (1.9.2011)
  Cutbacks in defence spending drive Finnish generals into tourist class (7.1.2010)

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