Finnish Rapid Deployment Force

Finnish Rapid Deployment Force
Active1996 - present
Country Finland
BranchFinnish Army seal Finnish Army

Finnish Air Force

Finnish Navy
RoleInternational missions peacekeeping
SizeBattle group
Part ofFinnish Defence Forces International Centre
Garrison/HQPori Brigade, Säkylä, Finland
Motto(s)Näytä hyvältä, tee hyvää! (Finnish for "look good, do good!")
Mascot(s)Crowned, golden lion
EquipmentXA-185 APC, Raisu, RG-32M, XA-360
Commanders
FDF International Centre CommanderColonel Mauri Koskela
Insignia
UniformRapid Deployment Force arch
HeaddressInternational Forces' beret

The Finnish Rapid Deployment Force (FRDF) (Finnish: Suomen Kansainvälinen Valmiusjoukko) is the spearhead international force of the Finnish Defence Forces (FDF). It can also be used for national defence.

The force is trained to participate as part of multinational peacekeeping and crisis management operations, and can be deployed at short notice.[1]

Although the FRDF is an addition to rather than a replacement for traditional peacekeeping forces, many Finnish peacekeepers have FRDF training, and FRDF soldiers are mostly used as a recruitment pool for international peacekeeping missions, which may consist of a mix of normal reservists, FRDF-trained reservists and professional soldiers (mostly officers).

Formed in 1996, the first battalion became operational in 1998. Elements of the group were first deployed in 1999 as a part of the KFOR operation in Kosovo.[2]

  1. ^ "Puolustusvoimat: Koulutus kansainvälisten kriisien hallintaan".
  2. ^ "Puolustusvoimat: Valmius osallistua".