The admission of Finland to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in 2023 has brought many benefits to the alliance, including the addition of a renowned sniper program that brings increased military strength and prestige. Finnish marksmen have a legacy of proficiency and continue to demonstrate their merit, making them a great asset to their allies and the field of sniping in general.
Finnish snipers earned much of their fame when they helped hold down and inflict punishing costs on the invading Soviet army in the 1939 invasion known as the Winter War. The quintessential winter sniper was, of course, Simo Häyhä, who is credited as the deadliest marksman to have ever lived. He had a background as a hunter like many other successful shooters and utilized it and knowledge of local terrain to make over 500 kills in four months.1,2 This sniping legend has inspired many and helped cement marksmanship as an important part of Finnish history and defense.
Modern snipers in Finland continue the tradition of excellence. Shortly after joining NATO, the Finnish team took first out of 45 teams at the European Best Sniper Team Competition where they carried on Simo Häyhä’s legacy in new ways, rapidly engaging targets with modern equipment and in difficult circumstances including firing from helicopters.3 This showcased some of the capability that the Finnish Defense Forces bring to the alliance and illustrated one way that snipers of its associated countries interact and collectively drive each other forward.
Finland will surely continue to produce high quality marksmen, thanks to a strong national focus on defense, compulsory military service for its citizens, and widespread positive attitudes toward guns and shooting in the country. Reservists are encouraged to maintain their shooting skills after their conscription period, hunting and target shooting are common pastimes, and the Finnish per capita gun ownership is the highest in European Union.4
High quality firearms and ammunition manufacturers from Finland such as Lapua and Sako further evidence the strength of the shooting and sniping tradition in the Nordic nation. Snipers in the Finnish Defense Forces use the Sako TRG M10 precision rifle system that features interchangeable barrels in addition to other locally sourced equipment.5
The defense strategy employed by Finland arguably makes the development of capable snipers necessary, not just beneficial. The country, which has the geographic misfortune of sharing a border with Russia, has put lots of thought into how they could fend off a much larger power, and luckily can turn to history for ideas. Rather than relying on heavily fortifying their borders like the nearby Baltic countries, Finland’s strategy is to allow invaders to make some progress before utilizing their dense forests, terrain, and maneuver warfare to counterattack on their own terms and beat back the aggressors.6 Such conditions would be ideal for snipers, allowing them to utilize their skills to stealthily lay in wait and then use precision fire to hold down enemy forces and eliminate key targets as they approach. Finland’s preparation of skilled snipers is a critical part of their national defense.
Finland’s dedication to sniping is significant for NATO and the field, which is both threatened by technological developments in warfare and becoming deprioritized by some of its strongest supporters. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization is an excellent if unofficial framework for some of the world’s greatest marksmen to engage with each other and share new developments. The addition of Finland to the club is an important and fortunate change for snipers across the world.
Stirling E.
Sniper Central Global Affairs Analyst
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