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Department of Warfare The Department of Warfare is responsible for teaching military theory as a major. The teaching groups carry out the teaching of military theory as a unit consisting of operational art and tactics, strategy and military histor...

Department of Warfare: Professors and Assistant Professors Professors Professor Petteri Jouko, PhD, Colonel (ret.) Field of appointment: Military history Teaching and research Military history during the Cold War, history of operational art and ta...

Impact of teaching Impact of research Responsibility and interaction Societal impact as the focus of the strategy In line with its vision, the National Defence University advances the overall security of the nation and the stability of society thr...

10.3.2026 | The National Defence University and the Finnish Society of Military Sciences will organise a Seminar of Military Sciences on 4-5 November 2026. The theme of the seminar this year is The world order is undergoing change - what should be the focus of the military sciences right now? This is an opening of discussion on topical military scientific and closely related phenomena and themes from the perspectives of research, teaching and working as an officer.

Research fields You can find information about the National Defence University’s research fields on this website. The military science research conducted in the university is divided into eight different areas: • Operational Art and Tactics • Mili...

Long-term development is the key to sustained air defence capability Maintenance and enhancement of the nation's air defence is among the primary tasks of the Finnish Air Force. This requires the continuous development of air defence capabilities ...

As a conscript in the Armoured Brigade The Armoured Brigade offers a wide range of training options and training takes place in several battalion-level units. Training focuses primarily on mechanised infantry tasks but all Army branches are repres...

Russia Group The Russia Research Group of the National Defence University’s Department of Warfare started its activities in 2017. The task of the Russia Group is to conduct research on the fundamentals of Russia’s security, military policy and art...

Impact of teaching Impact of research Responsibility and interaction Societal impact as the focus of the strategy In line with its vision, the National Defence University advances the overall security of the nation and the stability of society thr...

23.3.2026 | "Studying tactics" is a clear, instruction-oriented textbook with direct connections to the research process. The textbook is designed to support the teaching of operational art and tactics research, as well as the writing of a thesis.

Speakers and moderators Moderator: Simo Pesu (FNDU) Lt. Col. Simo Pesu is the head of the Russia Group and a senior researcher at the National Defence University. He earned the General Staff Officer’s Degree in 2004 and has served as a commissione...

Finnish Defence Studies Finnish Defence Studies is a peer-reviewed publication series under the auspices of the Finnish National Defence University. Its goal is to publish high-quality research within military sciences that is of interest for inte...

10.3.2026 | The National Defence University and the Finnish Society of Military Sciences will organise a Seminar of Military Sciences on 4-5 November 2026. The theme of the seminar this year is The world order is undergoing change - what should be the focus of the military sciences right now? This is an opening of discussion on topical military scientific and closely related phenomena and themes from the perspectives of research, teaching and working as an officer.

23.3.2026 | "Studying tactics" is a clear, instruction-oriented textbook with direct connections to the research process. The textbook is designed to support the teaching of operational art and tactics research, as well as the writing of a thesis.

Studying at the National Defence University The National Defence University offers university classes to approximately 900 people annually and continuing training to approximately 1,000 people. This page brings together general information useful ...

The Finnish Navy committed Katanpää-class mine countermeasures vessels MHC Katanpää and MHC Purunpää to the Nato Response Force’s Follow on Forces pool for 2022. Participating in the NATO Response Force, NRF, enhances the capability and interoperability of the Finnish Navy’s vessels and troops and its readiness to commit units to naval crisis management missions.

19.9.2025 | The Finnish National Defence University (FNDU) will organise the 8th annual Russia Seminar on 11–12 February 2026 in Helsinki (Santahamina), Finland. The purpose of the Russia Seminar is to increase discussion on the Russian war against Ukraine and produce new knowledge related to the war and warfare.

12.6.2025 | Finnish Defence Research Agency Research bulletin 10–2025 6.6.2025 The Finnish Defence Research Agency (FDRA) is a multidisciplinary research organisation, conducting defence-related research, development and testing in the fields of strategy and ...

28.4.2016 | Captain Antti Paronen's doctoral dissertation will be held at the National Defence University on Thursday 19 May 2016. It is a dissertation in military theory and the dissertation will take place in Santahamina House, in the Itälinnake Auditorium, from 10.00 onwards.

3.4.2017 | Public examination of Major Jan Hanska’s doctoral dissertation will be held at the National Defence University on Friday 21st May 2017. It is a dissertation in tactics and operational art and the public examination will take place in Martola Auditorium, from 10.00 onwards.