HELSINKI, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- The government of Finland on Thursday approved and published a report on the strategic development of the country's defense capability in the next ten years.
The document identifies cybersecurity as a key area to be improved and emphasizes the upcoming reform of the country's defence forces.
The report notes that defense systems and capabilities are increasingly more dependent on digitalization, the impact of information and the exploitation of space.
Defense Minister Antti Kaikkonen said at a press conference that Finland's cyber defense capability needs more staff and tools.
According to the report, the country's war-time defense forces count 280,000 people. A reform will divide the war-time forces into operational troops and local forces from 2025. The strength of the local forces will be increased starting in 2025 and they will be given new tasks. Local defense is being developed into a military capability encompassing the entire country.
Kaikkonen underlined that Finland's defense will continue to rely on conscripts and a large trained reserve force. In Finland, male citizens are obligated to serve in the military, while women can enlist voluntarily.
The report says that Finland maintains "the possibility of seeking membership in NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization)." Finland is not a member country of NATO but has an "enhanced opportunity partner" status with the organization. Enditem
