Editing Finnish Defence Forces (section)

===Recent history===
{{See also|Finland–NATO relations}}
The [[Dissolution of the Soviet Union|collapse of the Soviet Union]] in 1991 did not eliminate the military threat perceived by the government, but the nature of the threat had changed. While the concept of total, territorial defence was not dropped, military planning has moved towards the capability to prevent and frustrate a strategic attack toward the vital regions of the country.

The end of the [[Cold War]] also allowed new opportunities which would have previously been seen as breaking Finland's stance of neutrality, such as participation in the [[War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)|War in Afghanistan]] and the [[Nordic Battlegroup]].

With the change in the European security environment brought by the [[2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine]], Finnish government officials began voicing increasingly strong support for joining NATO, buttressed by polls showing a rapid increase in Finnish citizens' willingness to join NATO.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-03-22 |title=Eva poll: 60% back Finland joining Nato |url=https://yle.fi/news/3-12369943 |access-date=2022-04-08 |website=News |language=en}}</ref> NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg voiced his support in April 2022 for the inclusion of Finland into the Euro-Atlantic defence alliance and stated that NATO member countries would likely enthusiastically support a Finland bid for membership.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-04-05 |title=If Finland and Sweden apply to join NATO, they would be welcomed, Stoltenberg says |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/if-finland-sweden-apply-join-nato-they-would-be-welcomed-stoltenberg-says-2022-04-05/ |access-date=2022-04-08}}</ref>

On 11 May 2022, British Prime Minister [[Boris Johnson]] and Finnish President [[Sauli Niinistö]] signed a new mutual defence agreement "to reinforce their security and fortify northern Europe's defences, in the face of renewed threats."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Prime Minister signs new assurances to bolster European security: 11 May 2022 |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/prime-minister-signs-new-assurances-to-bolster-european-security-11-may-2022 |access-date=2022-05-12 |website=GOV.UK |language=en}}</ref> This has helped to address concerns within Finland that the delay between application and acceptance to NATO, during which time Finland would not yet be able to invoke [[NATO Article 5]] and may present an opportunity for a Russian invasion.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-05-05 |title=Finland and Sweden face security dilemma ahead of Nato decisions |work=Financial Times |url=https://www.ft.com/content/dee57930-13f8-4603-ad53-2070b0ee78fb |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221210/https://www.ft.com/content/dee57930-13f8-4603-ad53-2070b0ee78fb |archive-date=2022-12-10 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=2022-05-12}}</ref>

On 12 May 2022, Niinistö and Prime Minister [[Sanna Marin]] issued a joint statement supporting Finland's application for membership of NATO, saying "As a member of NATO, Finland would strengthen the entire defence alliance. Finland must apply for NATO membership without delay."<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-05-12 |title=Finnish leaders confirm support for Nato application |url=https://yle.fi/news/3-12442140 |access-date=2022-05-12 |website=News |language=en}}</ref> On 17 May 2022, the [[Parliament of Finland]] voted overwhelmingly to apply for membership of NATO, with 188 votes in favour of the motion and 8 against.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-05-17 |title=Finland's parliament votes yes to NATO |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/finlands-parliament-likely-vote-nato-application-tuesday-2022-05-17/ |access-date=2022-05-18}}</ref> The following morning, the Finnish ambassador to NATO, Klaus Korhonen, formally submitted Finland's application to NATO Secretary General [[Jens Stoltenberg]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-05-18 |title=Sweden and Finland formally apply to join Nato |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/may/18/sweden-and-finland-formally-apply-to-join-nato |access-date=2022-05-18 |website=the Guardian |language=en}}</ref> Sweden also submitted its application at the same time.

On 29 June 2022, 30 NATO countries extended a formal invitation for Finland along with Sweden to join NATO. Both nations received the status of aspiring members while attending the annual NATO summit in [[Madrid]] as guest nations.<ref>{{Cite web |last=NATO |title=Madrid Summit Declaration issued by NATO Heads of State and Government participating in the meeting of the North Atlantic Council in Madrid 29 June 2022 |url=https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/official_texts_196951.htm |access-date=2022-06-30 |website=NATO |language=en}}</ref> Finland became a full NATO member on 4 April 2023.