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Education and training This page provides the Defence Forces’ civilian and military personnel with information about possibilities for further education and training. In the Defence Forces, education and training of the regular personnel can be di...

11.8.2025 | The National Defence University will organize the third doctoral conferment ceremony in its history in Helsinki on 18-20 September. The event will celebrate the doctors and honorary doctors of military sciences to be conferred, as well as Finnish research in military sciences.

3.10.2025 | The third National Defence University conferment ceremony was held in Helsinki between 18 and 20 September 2025. At the conferment ceremony, 23 doctors of military sciences graduating after 2018 and 5 Honorary Doctors were conferred. Conferment grants them the right to use the doctoral hat and sword.

11.8.2025 | The National Defence University will organize the third doctoral conferment ceremony in its history in Helsinki on 18-20 September. The event will celebrate the doctors and honorary doctors of military sciences to be conferred, as well as Finnish research in military sciences.

3.10.2025 | The third National Defence University conferment ceremony was held in Helsinki between 18 and 20 September 2025. At the conferment ceremony, 23 doctors of military sciences graduating after 2018 and 5 Honorary Doctors were conferred. Conferment grants them the right to use the doctoral hat and sword.

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 ...

MAPS1 research project looks into defence-related knowledge How and with what kind of information do citizens form their views and opinions on national defence? In the MAPS1 research project in Military Sociology, we study this by looking into int...

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...

Virta, Jami Brigadier General Position Commander of Pori Brigade Date and place of birth 19 September 1973, Haapavesi Family Married to Heli Virta, four children Career Instructor Pohja Brigade 1994 Instructor, Guard Jaeger Regiment 1998 - 2002 Un...

13.1.2026 | This Autumn, special forces training in Utti Jaeger Regiment attracted more applicants than ever. The selection tests for those applying for paratrooper training and those applying to train as a contractual military personnel on the Defence Forces special forces course will be held on 19-23 January 2026.

13.1.2026 | This Autumn, special forces training in Utti Jaeger Regiment attracted more applicants than ever. The selection tests for those applying for paratrooper training and those applying to train as a contractual military personnel on the Defence Forces special forces course will be held on 19-23 January 2026.

9.8.2016 | The oral examination of Johanna Anttonen's doctoral thesis will take place on Maneesinkatu 6, central Helsinki, on 9 September. Anttonen has a master's degree in both education and the arts. She has been in the doctoral programme at the National Defence University since 2012 and her doctoral thesis is on military pedagogy.

20.1.2025 | Conscript 2025 Puolustusvoimat A guide for getting ready for military service A guide for getting ready for military service Conscript 2025 A guide for getting ready for military service Conscript 2025 ISBN English print version: 978-951-25-3462-3...

20.12.2024 | Conscript 2024 Puolustusvoimat A guide for getting ready for military service A guide for getting ready for military service Conscript 2024 A guide for getting ready for military service Conscript 2024 ISBN English print version: 978-951-25-3406-7...

11.11.2025 | Leader’s H andbook Leader’s Handbook 2022 2022 Manuscript: Pekka Halonen, Matti Kemppilä, Erik Gockel, Akseli Jääskeläinen, Laura Kaalikoski, Markus Kaartinen, Kari Aapro, Janne Kananen, Janne Aalto, Henna-Maria Utter, Toni Laitinen, Juha Hollanti...

18.10.2023 | For the first time, the Future Military Leaders Seminar was organized at the Finnish National Defence University in Santahamina from 12-13 October 2023. Personnel and students from the Finnish and Swedish defence universities attended the two-day seminar. Last time, the seminar was held in Sweden in May 2022.

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 ...

23.4.2021 | The National Defence University (NDU) published the final report of its external research evaluations on 21 April. The final report is the end result of an evaluation process that lasted over a year. The observations in the final report will be used to develop research in the future.

14.8.2020 | Finnish Defence Forces Recruit Questionnaire (preliminary questionnaire for military service) You fill in this preliminary questionnaire after the call-up, before you enter military service. Filling in this questionnaire will give you an opportuni...

27.5.2020 | Finnish Defence Forces Recruit Questionnaire (preliminary questionnaire for military service) You fill in this preliminary questionnaire after the call-up, before you enter military service. Filling in this questionnaire will give you an opportuni...