Finland's participation in NATO-led crisis management operations

Finland takes part in NATO-led crisis management operations in Kosovo and Afghanistan. In Kosovo, KFOR's main task is stabilisation of the situation. In Afghanistan, ISAF troops assist the government in creating stability and security.

KFOR (Kosovo Force)

Kosovo

The multi-ethnic NATO-led Kosovo Force’s (KFOR) main task is to ensure stability in Kosovo. KFOR is responsible for the military elements of the UN Security Council Resolution 1244, issued in 1999. The total strength of the operation is about 5,100 persons. Thanks to the improved security situation in Kosovo, the number of troops in the operation will be reduced.

Map: Operation Kosovo Force (Finnish Defence Forces)

Finland has participated in KFOR since 1999. Three times during the history of the operation, Finland has assumed the lead nation role of the Multinational Task Force South. At its best, as many as over a thousand Finns have served in the operation. At present Finland’s total strength in the KFOR operation is about 20 persons..

The strength was reduced the previous time in late 2010, when one Finnish crisis management troop was withdrawn from Kosovo. In the autumn 2009, the strength was reduced from about 400 to 250 soldiers.

KFOR operation on the website of the Finnish Defence Forces
Kosovo Force - operation website

ISAF (International Security Assistance Force)

Afghanistan

The International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan was transferred under NATO leadership in 2003 (UN Resolutions 1386, 1413 and 1444). In accordance with ISAF's mandate, the operation is to support the Afghan government authorities to provide effective security across the country and to develop the security sector (the Afghan National Security Forces, ANSF, and the National Police).

Finland's current contribution of troops to the ISAF operation is a maximum of 100 soldiers. The Finnish troop mainly patrols in Mazar-i-Sharif in northern Afghanistan. From the beginning of 2013, the emphasis has been on training and advisory tasks. In addition to supporting the ANSF, Finland channels resources to development cooperation and civilian crisis management.

Of the 50 countries contributing personnel to the ISAF operation, 22 are non-NATO partner countries. The operation’s total strength is about 50,000 personnel. The present operation will be disbanded at the end of 2014. Responsibility for security will gradually shift from ISAF to Afghanistan’s own security forces by the summer of 2013.

NATO is planning a post-2014 Resolute Support mission, which is a considerably smaller operation.

According to the Government Report to Parliament on Afghanistan, approved in March 2013, Finland takes a positive stance towards a possible follow-up mission focusing on training and will assess possible participation in such a mission at a later stage.