Finland and the UK: A forces and firepower comparison

As Finland is now close to joining NATO, after the allies signed off on accession protocols, Forces News takes a look at its military firepower in comparison to the UK – a key player in the military alliance.

Finland's land mass (fifth largest in the European Union) has never been occupied, and its military is already interoperable with many NATO members.

A member of the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force, it shares 800 miles of its border with Russia and is keen to secure them.

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Here's an overview, using IISS Military Balance 2022 stats collected before Russia's invasion in February, which will have impacted the stock count for nations sending equipment to Ukraine.

The statistics show a vast difference in the two countries' military firepower – the UK has two aircraft carriers, while Finland has none –  and manpower – the UK has 133,950 more active personnel than Finland, while Finland has a far larger reserve force.

Manpower

UK

• Active personnel: 153,200 (Army 85,800; Navy 34,050; Air 33,350)
• Reserve personnel: 75,450

Finland

• Active personnel: 19,250 (Army 13,400; Navy 3,150; Air 2,700)
• Gendarmerie and Paramilitary: 2,700
• Reserve personnel: 238,000

WATCH: Know Your Missiles – having a blast with the UK's most high-tech firepower.

Army

UK

• Tanks: 227
• Infantry fighting vehicles: 388+
• Armoured personnel carriers: 805
• Artillery: 598
• Transport helicopters: 122
• Multi role helicopters: 66
• Surface-to-air missile systems: 74+

Finland

• Tanks: 100 Leopard 2A6 (with 100 Leopard 2A4 in store)
• Infantry fighting vehicles: 212
• Armoured personnel carriers: 613
• Artillery: 672
• Transport helicopters: 20
• Multi role helicopters: 7
• Surface to air missile systems: 60+

WATCH: Finland's military strength explained.

Navy

UK

Royal Navy:

• Aircraft Carriers: 2
• Destroyers: 6
• LPD (Landing Platform Docks): 2
• Frigates: 12
• Survey Ships: 4
• Mine Countermeasure vessels: 11
• Offshore Protection Vessels: 8
• Ballistic Missile Submarines: 4
• Other submarines: 6

Royal Fleet Auxiliary:

• Amphibious ships: 3
• Logistics and support: 12

Naval Aviation:

• Transport: 4
• Training: 16
• Helicopters: 58

Royal Marines:

• Armoured fighting vehicles: 99
• Artillery: 39
• Patrol and coastal combatants: 2
• Amphibious landing craft: 26

Finland

Navy:

• Patrol and coastal combatants: 20
• Mine Warfare: 8
• Amphibious Landing Craft: 51
• Logistics and support vessels: 7
• Coastal Defence forces have man-portable anti-tank and systems and anti-ship missile capabilities (4)

WATCH: Where is NATO deployed in Europe?

Air Force

UK

• Fighter and Ground Attack: 234
• Anti-submarine: 8
• Electronic intelligence: 3
• Intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance: 6
• Airborne early warning and control: 3
• Tanker/transport: 10
• Transport 46
• Training: 164
• Multi-role helicopters: 5
• Transport helicopters: 3
• Heavy UAV: 10
• The RAF has a range of air-launched missiles and laser/GPS-guided bombs

Finland

• Fighter and Ground Attack: 62
• Electronic intelligence: 1
• Light transport: 11
• Training: 99
• A range of air-launched missiles (including air-to-air and homing missiles) and INS/GPS-guided bombs

Gendarmerie & Paramilitary also possess:

• Patrol and coastal combatants: 43
• Amphibious landing craft: 6
• Light transport aircraft: 2
• Multi-role helicopters: 3
• Transport helicopters: 9