Speech by the Reviewing Officer of the Finnish Defence Forces Flag Day Parade, 4 June 2025

Speech by the Reviewing Officer of the Finnish Defence Forces Flag Day Parade, Commander of the Finnish Air Force, Major General Timo Herranen, at the review of troops on 4 June 2025.

Distinguished veterans of our wars and members of the Lotta Svärd organisation, distinguished guests, citizens and parade troops,

The theme of this year’s parade, “Nordic Security – 100 Years of Air Defence”, contains three major subtopics. Firstly, the significance of air defence; secondly, our long and successful tradition of cooperation between ground-based air defence and air power; and, thirdly, the North’s geopolitical significance and Nordic cooperation.

I will begin with the significance of air defence. A wide-scale war is raging in Ukraine for the fourth year. Cruise missiles, tens of thousands of glide bombs, and drones are an everyday occurrence also further away from the frontlines. Despite the ruthless use of force taking place for years, Russia has not managed to destroy Ukraine’s air defence which protects the society to the best of its ability every single day. In addition to these actions, warning the civilians and minimizing the impact of strikes remains important, because it is impossible to repel every threat. In the midst of war, the society sustains its functions while adapting to the circumstances.

Today, air superiority and security for the own troops and society can be achieved only by air defence that is efficiently coordinated and consists of various systems. As Finns, we understand this well. The strength of our air defence is in cooperation – our super force is operating together. It is also the super force of the entire Finland. Comprehensive national defence is a concept established in Finland and our will to defend the country is unequalled in the world. Amongst both the young and the old.

We carry a long tradition of coordinating defensive counterair operations with ground-based air defence operations. Air defence has been and will be developed on a long-term basis. Currently, the most essential goals include the introduction into service of the F–35 multirole fighter and David’s Sling air and missile defence system alongside the counterair capability of unmanned systems. Both the F–35 and David’s Sling provide the best possible combat capability for the Finnish setting. Our digital and encrypted command and control system enables joint counterair operations in a manner that is state-of-the-art even on a global scale.

The battle fields of today and tomorrow highlight the joint combat between all the services along with utilizing also space, electromagnetic spectrum, and cyber domain. Out of these, the focal point is currently developing air and land cooperation and space functionalities. Any service cannot win a battle alone, and three times one is five at minimum.

Next, I will cover our history that is marked by the heroic acts of the distinguished veterans of our wars. Thank you, Hannes and Pentti!

This year, the Finnish Ground-Based Air Defence turns to 100 years. Simultaneously, together with our 107-year-old Air Force, the Finnish air defence reaches a true milestone. The Ground-Based Air Defence had an opportunity to show its deterring capability in the great air raids against Helsinki during the Continuation War in 1944. At that time, Stalin attempted to separate Finland from the war by bombing Helsinki. That didn’t go as planned. A substantial air defence had been formed to protect Helsinki, distinguished by its unique command structure and technical proficiency. Air surveillance radars were also introduced as an emerging capability. The barrage fire of the ground-based air defence and Me 109 G fighters operating from the Malmi airport created a deterrence due to which the bombs did not drop in Helsinki.

Also, the feats performed by our flying aces remain unrivalled. Even though Stalin had thought before the Winter War that Finland did not possess air power due to shortcomings with a bomber squadron, our Air Force was capable of inflicting heavy losses to the Soviet Union’s bomber squadrons. The heritage units of Karelia Air Wing alone shut down over 1,000 Soviet bombers. Back then, and now in Ukraine, the resources were concentrated to the most vital functions and the tactics made an efficient use of the existing outnumbered equipment. The seamless cooperation between the mechanics and pilots, and the esprit de corps guaranteed success in the air – while our heroes were fighting in the frontline.

Examining only the previous battles leads to waging the next war with the means of the previous one. History, experience and operational culture do nevertheless provide a strong foundation for improving operations considering the change of battlefield and the prospects of future technology. It is of great importance to combine a long-term, goal-oriented development with rapid and agile innovation and also with battlefield experiences.

Thirdly, I will bring up how the gravity of the North keeps rising alongside the significance of the Arctic regions within the global security framework. As a member of NATO, we no longer stand alone and we are able to advance our defence capabilities seamlessly with our closest neighbours thus answering to changes in the security environment. Nordic cooperation is a key component in developing the deterrence and defence of NATO. From the air defence perspective, this development is spearheaded by the construction of command and control capability for Nordic air operations. Our goal is to fight as one air force under all circumstances. The Nordic Air Operations Centre at Bodø – put into operation this year – creates the conditions for commanding air defence resources in the Nordic region. The centre also provides a base for structural improvements of NATO’s air defence. Strong North is a guarantee that we are carrying our responsibility for the security of the entire Europe. It is noted, and it is appreciated in both European and American continents.

I’d like to conclude by saying that even though we are part of NATO, the final responsibility of our defence falls to us. It is my relief to state that Finland has been awake. Our defence has been developed in a determined and persevering manner – not by making sharp turns after trends, but by being proactive and assessing each situation.

I know from my own experience that here at the shores of Lake Saimaa the will to defend the country, preparedness and collaboration are alive and strong throughout the society. I would like to thank the 250-year Kuopio and the entire province for the solid support to Karelia Air Wing.

Parade troops; as I’m looking at you before me, I’m proud to declare that our air defence will protect the North also for the coming 100 years.

Let us raise three cheers for our homeland!