Finland Military Forces Patches

Finland Air Force Patches Finnish Ilmavoimat (2)

Finland Air Force Patches Finnish Ilmavoimat

Formed by White Guard on 6 March 1918 during the Finnish Civil War.

Initially Relying on Foreign Pilots Crews and Mechanics Including from Germany. White Guard won the War on 15 May 1918

Adopted a Blue Swastika as its Emblem. Regularly updated its fleet during the 1920s and 1930s.

Fought in the Winter War against the Soviet Union 1939 1940

Finland was aided by Germany during the Continuation War against Soviet Russia 1941 to 1944. Moscow Armistice required facist symbols to be removed including the Air Force swastika

Paris Peace Treaty 1947 imposed significant restrictions on the Finnish Air Force. Finland remained militarily non-aligned.

With the Collapse of the Soviet Union and the reunification of Germany Finland declared that the military restrictions of the Paris Peace Treaty were no longer applicable.

Major modernisation during the 1990s with Saab 35 Draken and Russian MiG-21 fighters replaced by F/A-18C/D Hornet fighter aircraft. The Fighter Fleet is due to upgrade to F-35A Lightning II.

With the rising Russian threat following its invasion of Ukraine Finland joined NATO on 4 April 2023.