These are good questions.
There seems little question that Finnish-Russian relations have cooled, but there is certainly a divergence in how much. No one envisions a war tommorow; but, as was noted by David, we have "the unpredictable future".from davidbfpo
What possible situation today would justify a Russian action against Finland?
Is the Finnish upgrade not just a bureaucratic / military proposal for a technological upgrade as the airframes get older?
Here are some sample opinions, the first from a broad survey of Finland's diplomats, the second from Finland's Foreign Minister and the third from Sweden's Foreign Minister.
http://www.hs.fi/english/article/Dip.../1135240031064Diplomatic confessions
By Kari Huhta and Tanja Vasama
HELSINGIN SANOMAT
INTERNATIONAL EDITION - FOREIGN
7.10.2008 - THIS WEEK FEATURE ARTICLE
"I will not crouch into hushing things up, or slip into liturgy", one ambassador wrote at the beginning of his two pages of text - quoting the words of Minister for Foreign Affairs Alexander Stubb (Nat. Coalition Party).
Then the ambassador made a number of observations about Finland’s eastern neighbour.
"Russia can never earn the trust of its neighbours unless it produces an honest accounting of its past."
The ambassador continued that Russia does not pay heed to rules that had been agreed upon jointly with others. It yearns for the 19th century, while the EU is living in the 21st. It is building a fence and is protecting its security on both sides of that fence. When China started its Summer Olympics on August the 8th, Russia attacked Georgia.
"China invited the world for a visit, and Russia showed the world its middle finger." ....
http://www.hs.fi/english/article/Fin.../1135240029652HELSINGIN SANOMAT
INTERNATIONAL EDITION - FOREIGN
7.10.2008
Finnish-Russian relations under strain during OSCE Chairmanship
Cancelled military visits, complaints of Finnish decisions
The colder winds that have been blowing in relations between Russia and the West also extend to relations between Finland and Russia.
Russia has cancelled at least two visits by military officers since August, and the Russians have criticised Finnish actions during Finland’s turn holding the Chairmanship of the Organisation of Security and Cooperation in Europe. .....
http://www.hs.fi/english/article/Swe.../1135239631101HELSINGIN SANOMAT
INTERNATIONAL EDITION - FOREIGN
22.9.2008
Swedish Foreign Minister sees Russia moving away from European values
Carl Bildt sees reflections of 19th century attitudes in today’s Russia
“It takes two to tango. If Russia doesn’t want to dance, then the tango will be a bit awkward.”
This is how Swedish Prime Minister Carl Bildt describes relations between the European Union and Russia, which have been put to a major test by the crisis in the Caucasus.
Bildt, who took part in a European security seminar in Helsinki on Friday, told Helsingin Sanomat that the EU must reassess its policy toward Russia. While he expects cooperation to continue on a wide front, the changing winds affecting the European security environment are blowing specifically from Moscow. ....
As to the second question, you will have to draw your own conclusions. The following references may help.
------------------------------
Overall Defense Policies
Finnish Security and Defence Policy 2004
Government report 6/2004 ["White Paper"]
http://www.defmin.fi/files/311/2574_...er_2004_1_.pdf
One might ask: And what invaders are to be expected - Karelian wolves attacking Saami reindeer herds ?(pp.109-110)
5.2.3 The services
The Army
The Army must be able to defend Finland’s entire territory, protect vital targets, provide executive assistance to other authorities, and prevent and repel military attacks supported by the other services. Regional forces are used for surveillance of land areas, to protect the society’s vital infrastructure and to hold key areas. Invaders will be defeated by using operational forces that are deployable nationwide, supported by long-range fire. ..... Border troops will especially be used for reconnaissance, surveillance, special operations and counter-special force operations.
(p.111)
From 2009 onwards, development of the Army will concentrate on ground-based air defence and on regional forces. Ground-based air defence in the capital region will be increased in efficiency. Regional forces’ capacity for rapid action to protect military targets, the capacity to provide executive assistance to other authorities, and the capacity to protect society’s vital functions will be improved. The capacity of the troops in the capital region to safeguard operating conditions for the national leadership and to safeguard vital functions of the society will be further upgraded.One might ask: "ground-based air defence" against whom - Flying Karelian wolves, perhaps ?(p.112)
The Navy
....
Ground-based air defence of naval bases and coastal troops will be developed as part of the national ground-based air defence development programme.
The bottom line is that someone is very much concerned with someone else having air superiority.(p.114)
The Air Force
....
During the planning period special attention will be given to raising the performance of fighter defence and to the air defence command and control system. The performance of the Hornet fleet will be increased by mid-life updating, thus improving the system’s situational awareness, interception capacity and international interoperability. Performance of the Hornet fleet will also be enhanced with the gradual procurement of a long-range precision guided weapon system, permitting air-to-ground operations.
....
.... The Air Force’s ground-based air defence capability will be improved as part of the national ground-based air defence, focusing on the capacity to protect the most important bases.
The focus in 2004 for projected procurements in the future is graphed at p.115. The primary components are (approximately):
The largest part of the remaining 20% is Navy (mine counter-measires).C4ISR (command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance & recon) - 25%
Mobility, firepower & regional troops - 17½ %
Ground-based air defense in the capital region - 17½%
Air Force (primarily Mid-life Update II for F-18s) - 20%
In terms of national effort, the following is instructive:
The concept of a national defense is contained in a number of other documents (as well as expressed in the White Paper).(p.124)
5.2.8 Developing voluntary defence
People’s interest in voluntary activities is a resource that promotes everyday security, preparedness for new threats and military defence readiness. The basic premise for this activity must be the needs of the society as well as the needs of the Defence Forces and voluntary organizations. Voluntary defence activities supporting military defence will be reorganized to facilitate collaboration between authorities at all levels. For this purpose, local defence troops will be formed, which will belong to the Defence Forces’ wartime forces. The Government will consider the necessity of a separate act on voluntary defence.
The overall plan meets not only an invasion by Nation X, but also other contingencies (terrorists, WMD attacks, epidemics, etc.). So, it is very correct to say that Finland's security policies include many contingencies - most are much less malignant than an invasion.
But, it is difficult for me to see how F-18s fit into those contingencies (terrorists, WMD attacks, epidemics, etc.). I do see how they would meet the invasion problem in part.
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