Vilho Pekka Turunen

Brigadier General

Position

Defence Command Chief of Intelligence, Director of Finnish Defence Intelligence

Date and place of birth

January 26, 1967 in Mikkeli, Finland

Marital status and family

Married, two adult sons

 

Education

  • 2018 National Defence Course, National Defence University 
  • 2017 High Command Course, National Defence University
  • 2013 – 2015 Diploma in Safety and Security Management, Aalto University 
  • 2012 Course for Superior Staff, National Defence University
  • 1997 – 1999 General Staff Officer Course, National Defence University 
  • 1987 – 1990 Finnish Military Academy

Experience

  • 2023 – Chief of Finnish Defence Intelligence (FDI)
  • 2021 – 2023 Chief of Warfare Department of National Defence University
  • 2019 – 2021 Defence Attaché accredited to Russia and Belarus
  • 2015 – 2019 Chief of Military CI, Deputy Director of FDI, DACOS J2, Defence Command
  • 2014 – 2015 Head of CI Division, Finnish Defence Intelligence Agency
  • 2012 – 2014 Head of CI Operations, Investigation Division, Defence Command 
  • 2010 – 2011 Head of Joint Intelligence Operations Center, J2, Defence Command
  • 2007 – 2010 Defence Attaché accredited to Poland and Ukraine 
  • 2006 Head of National Intelligence Cell, KFOR, Kosovo Curriculum Vitae Pekka Turunen
  • 1999 – 2006 Various positions in Finnish Intelligence Research Establishment (E.g. Head of Analysis Division, Head of Imagery Division)
  • 1995 – 1997 Head Instructor for Cadets, Military Engineering School, Military Academy
  • 1994 – 1995 Company Commander, Military Engineering Battalion, Karelian Brigade
  • 1990 – 1993 Instructor and Deputy Company Commander, Engineering
    Regiment

Promotions

  • 2023 Brigadier General
  • 2015 Colonel
  • 2007 Lieutenant Colonel
  • 1999 Major
  • 1994 Captain
  • 1991 Senior Lieutenant
  • 1989 Lieutenant

Decorations

  • Commander of the Order of the Lion of Finland
  • Medal for Military Merits
  • Knight First Class of the Order of the White Rose of Finland
  • Knight First Class of the Order of the Lion of Finland
  • Military Intelligence Cross of Merit with clasp
  • The NATO KFOR Medal
  • Medal of Merit of Military Engineering
  • Gold Cross of Merit of Poland

Language skills

Finnish (Native), English (C-level), Russian (B-level), Swedish (A-level), Polish (A-level)

´