Editing Finnish Defence Forces (section)

===World War II===
[[File:Lahti-Saloranta M-26 in position.jpg|thumb|225px|left|Finnish soldier equipped with [[Lahti-Saloranta M-26]] during the [[Winter War]]]]

When the Soviets [[Winter War|invaded in November 1939]], the Finns, led by [[Marshal Mannerheim]], defeated the Red Army on numerous occasions, including at the crucial [[Battle of Suomussalmi]]. These successes were in large part thanks to the application of [[Pocket (military)#Motti|motti tactics]]. Finland successfully defended its independence but ceded 9% of its territory per the [[Moscow Peace Treaty]]. During the war, the Finns lost 25,904 men, while the Soviet losses were 167,976 dead.<ref name=Eastern>{{cite journal|last=Ruha|first=Anna|title=Tapaus nimeltä talvisota|date=1 January 2014|journal=Idäntutkimus|volume=21|number=1|publisher=University of Helsinki|access-date=21 May 2015|url=https://journal.fi/idantutkimus/article/view/79406|language=fi}}</ref>

[[File:Tali-Ihantala.jpg|thumb|225px|left|Finnish troops equipped with [[Panzerfaust]] antitank weapons walk past a destroyed Soviet [[T-34 tank]] during the [[Battle of Tali-Ihantala]]. The lead soldier is also armed with a [[Suomi KP/-31]].]]

Finland fought in the [[Continuation War]] alongside Germany from 1941 to 1944. Thanks to Nazi-German aid, the army was much better equipped, and the period of conscription was increased to two years, making possible the formation of sixteen infantry divisions. Having initially deployed on the defensive, the Finns took advantage of the weakened Soviet positions as a consequence of [[Operation Barbarossa]], swiftly recovering their lost territories and invading Soviet territory in Karelia, after settling into defensive positions in December 1941. The [[Vyborg–Petrozavodsk Offensive|Soviet offensive]] of June 1944 undid these Finnish gains and, while failing in its objective of destroying the Finnish army and forcing Finland's unconditional surrender, [[Moscow Armistice|forced Finland out of the war]]. The Finns were able to preserve their independence with key defensive victories over the Red Army, the [[Battle of Tali-Ihantala]] being very significant.

These conflicts involving Finland had a significant impact on the modern Finnish defence force. While other European militaries have reduced their forces, Finland has maintained a large conscript-based reserve army. As a Swedish report stated: "The reason why the FDF chose to maintain this model while its Nordic neighbors jumped on the expeditionary bandwagon is not hard to see. Sharing a 1340km border with Russia, the need for large ground forces is self-explanatory. Furthermore, memories of World War II – in which over 2 percent of the population perished in two brutal wars with the Soviet Union – are very much alive in Finland".<ref>Guardians of the North: The Finnish Army Improves Readiness and Mobility to Counter Hybrid Threats, by Dr. Michael Jonsson & Dr. Johan Engvall</ref> This same aspect has been highlighted even more strongly after the Russian invasion of Ukraine and Finland's decision to join NATO. With quotes like; "After World War II, having thwarted the advance of the mighty Red Army in the Winter War of 1939-40 and then seeking to recapture the territory the Soviets eventually claimed, Finland had to settle for neutrality imposed by Moscow. But to almost everyone's surprise, it succeeded in this degrading task, too, building up armed forces that were highly capable and were energetically supported by civil society—while at the same time managing to maintain dialogue with Moscow.",<ref>{{cite web | url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2022/04/14/what-finland-can-offer-nato/ | title=What Finland Can Offer NATO }}</ref> "Finland still has compulsory military service. Finland would be in a position to mobilize an army of 280,000 soldiers. That's quite a big army in modern Europe,",<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.dw.com/en/will-finland-and-sweden-join-nato/a-61480612 | title=Will Finland and Sweden join NATO? &#124; DW &#124; 14.04.2022 | website=[[Deutsche Welle]] }}</ref> with similar views being expressed elsewhere as well, often referring to the fact that Finland has kept its conscript-based armed force or other readiness-related units, contrasting with other European countries that now have to re-arm, such as [[Germany]]<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/germany-announces-it-will-rearm/ | title=Germany Announces It Will Rearm | website=[[National Review]] | date=27 February 2022 }}</ref> as an example. During the events of 2022, all this has received attention internationally as well.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/18468/finland-will-strengthen-nato | title=Finland Will Strengthen NATO | date=27 April 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.scotsman.com/news/opinion/columnists/finland-in-nato-would-bring-the-spirit-of-sisu-to-the-defence-of-democratic-ideals-harry-nimmo-3693384 | title=Finland in Nato would bring the spirit of 'sisu' to the defence of democratic ideals – Harry Nimmo }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/finland-gears-up-for-historic-nato-decision/ar-AAW3aT4 | title=Finland gears up for historic NATO decision | website=[[MSN]] }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/finland-is-ready-fight-russia-if-attacked-defence-chief-2022-06-22/ | title=Finland is ready to fight Russia if attacked - defence chief | newspaper=Reuters | date=22 June 2022 | last1=Kauranen | first1=Anne }}</ref>