Finnish Rapid Deployment Force
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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.
This article needs to be updated. (January 2022) |
Finnish Rapid Deployment Force | |
---|---|
Active | 1996 - present |
Country | Finland |
Branch | Finnish Army Finnish Navy |
Role | International missions peacekeeping |
Size | Battle group |
Part of | Finnish Defence Forces International Centre |
Garrison/HQ | Pori Brigade, Säkylä, Finland |
Motto(s) | Näytä hyvältä, tee hyvää! (Finnish for "look good, do good!") |
Mascot(s) | Crowned, golden lion |
Equipment | XA-185 APC, Raisu, RG-32M, XA-360 |
Commanders | |
FDF International Centre Commander | Colonel Mauri Koskela |
Insignia | |
Uniform | Rapid Deployment Force arch |
Headdress | International Forces' beret |
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]