View source for Finnish Border Guard

{{Short description|Finnish government agency for border security}}
{{more citations needed|date=January 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}}
{{Infobox law enforcement agency
| agencyname        = Finnish Border Guard
| nativename        = {{nativename|fi|Rajavartiolaitos}}<br />{{nativename|sv|Gränsbevakningsväsendet}}
| patch             = 
| patchcaption      = 
| logo              = Rajavartiolaitos logo.svg
| logocaption       = Emblem of the Finnish Border Guard
| badge             = 
| badgecaption      = 
| flag              = Finnish Coast Guard racing stripe.svg
| flagcaption       = Ship [[racing stripe]]
| imagesize         = 
| abbreviation      = FBG
| motto             = 
| mottotranslated   = 
| formed            = {{start date and age|df=y|1919|3|21}}
| employees         = 3,800 career personnel, mobilised strength 12,600
| country           = Finland
| speciality1       = immigration
| speciality2       = border
| speciality3       = coast
| minister1name     = [[Minister of the Interior (Finland)|Minister of the Interior]]
| minister1pfo      = [[Mari Rantanen]]
| chief1name        = Lieutenant general Pasi Kostamovaara
| chief1position    = Chief of the Border Guard
| chief2name        = Rear admiral Markku Hassinen
| chief2position    = Deputy Chief of the Border Guard
| child1agency      = 5 District Commands
| child2agency      = 15 Battalions
| website           = {{URL|https://raja.fi/en/}}
| footnotes         = 
| reference         = 
}}

The '''Finnish Border Guard''' ('''FBG''',<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://yle.fi/a/3-8099091 |title=Border Guard: Rise in Syrians entering Finland illegally through Russia |last= |first= |date=23 June 2015 |website=[[Yle Uutiset]] |access-date=14 October 2023}}</ref> {{Langx|fi|Rajavartiolaitos, RVL}};<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.tekniikkatalous.fi/uutiset/rajavartiolaitokselle-uutta-valvontakonekalustoa-etsiva-mvx-hanke-etenee-nyt-on-valittu-ne-konetoimittajat-jotka-kutsutaan-tarjouspyyntokilpailuun/4f4e04de-b99c-48e8-a64d-a02c58d5aa38 |title=Rajavartiolaitokselle uutta valvontakonekalustoa etsivä MVX-hanke etenee: Nyt on valittu ne konetoimittajat, jotka kutsutaan tarjouspyyntökilpailuun |last=Pulliainen |first=Mikko |date=14 October 2022 |website=[[Tekniikka&Talous]] |language=fi |access-date=14 October 2023}}</ref> {{Langx|sv|Gränsbevakningsväsendet, GBV}})<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.hbl.fi/artikel/d518bdcc-fcd7-42c7-8473-c3a6bd46816c |title=Räcker det att man vilar på hanen? |last=Lehtihaara |first=Maarit |date=10 June 2018 |website=[[Hufvudstadsbladet]] |language=sv |access-date=14 October 2023}}</ref> is the agency responsible for enforcing the security of [[Finland]]'s borders.

==Duties ==

Main duties of the Finnish Border Guard:
* Protecting the land borders and [[territorial waters]] of Finland from unauthorised encroachment.
* [[Passport]] control at border crossing points, airports and ports.
* First line of defence against territorial invasions.
* Rescue operations (mainly at sea and in the remote areas of [[Lapland (Finland)|Lapland]]).
* Provide aid to other authorities such as the [[fire department]] in case of unusual events like [[wild fire]]s.
* Investigation of crimes pertaining to border security.
* Aiding police forces in civil duties such as crowd control and riot control.
* Military operations pertaining to [[internal security]].
* [[Customs]] control in the minor border crossing points without customs authorities.
* Training of conscripts for wartime duty. These include {{Lang|fi|rajajääkäri}} (border jaegers) and {{Lang|fi|erikoisrajajääkäri}} (special border jaegers).
* (During wartime) [[Sissi (Finnish light infantry)|Long range patrols and guerrilla tactics behind enemy lines]].
The agency has police and investigative powers in immigration matters and can independently investigate immigration violations with [[search and rescue]] (SAR) duties, both maritime and inland. Missions inland are often carried out in co-operation with local fire and rescue departments or other authorities.

== Jurisdiction ==
For the discharge of its duties, the Border Guard has limited police powers in the areas where it operates. 

It can, for example, seize and arrest persons and conduct searches in apartments and cars pursuant to same legislation as the police, when investigating a crime. 

However, the power to arrest a person has been delegated only to the commanding officers of border control detachments and commanders and vice-commanders of larger units.

The Border Guard is not supposed to be used for the keeping of public order under normal circumstances, but it has two readiness platoons that can be used to support the police in exceptional situations in matters of crowd control and internal security (including incidents involving dangerous armed criminals).<ref name="valmiusjoukkueet">[https://www.raja.fi/www-sivusto/tehtavat/rajojen_valvonta/valmiusjoukkueet Valmiusjoukkueet] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171029195448/http://www.raja.fi/www-sivusto/tehtavat/rajojen_valvonta/valmiusjoukkueet |date=2017-10-29 }}. Finnish Border Guard. Retrieved 2015-07-07. {{in lang|fi}}.</ref>

The readiness platoons have been used to supplement [[riot police]] during high-profile international events where there is a perceived danger of violent demonstrations, e.g. during the "Smash ASEM" demonstration in 2006.<ref>[http://yle.fi/aihe/artikkeli/2012/01/10/smash-asem-mielenosoitus-joka-ei-koskaan-alkanut Smash ASEM: mielenosoitus joka ei koskaan alkanut]. Yle Elävä arkisto. 10.1.2012. Retrieved 2015-07-07. {{in lang|fi}}</ref> 

However, the main duty of the readiness platoons is to handle the most demanding border security incidents.<ref name="valmiusjoukkueet" /> Border Guard helicopters have also been used to assist police and rescue authorities in various missions.

The Border Guard also has the power to keep public order in its own facilities and in their immediate vicinity. For the execution of its military exercises, any officer with the minimum rank of Captain can close an area temporarily.

The Border Guard is responsible for enforcing the {{convert|3|–|5|km|mi||abbr=on}} [[border zone]] towards Russia and issues the permits to visit the zone.

==Organisation==
[[File:Rajavartija koiran kanssa.jpg|thumb|150px|Finnish Border Guard on patrol with a dog]]
The Border Guard is a military organisation, subordinate to the [[Ministry of the Interior (Finland)|Ministry of the Interior]] in administrative issues and to the [[president of Finland]] in issues pertaining to his authority as [[Commander-in-Chief]] (e.g. officer promotions).  

Administrative units are responsible for the functions of the Border Guard. 

These administrative units are the Border Guard Headquarters, Southeast Finland, North Karelia, Kainuu and Lapland border guard districts, the Gulf of Finland and West Finland coast guard districts, Air Patrol Squadron and Border and [[Border and Coast Guard Academy, Finland|Coast Guard Academy]].

The Border Guards have two readiness units; the 1st Special Intervention Unit, which operates in South-Eastern Finland, and the 5th Special Intervention Unit, which operates in the [[Gulf of Finland]] area.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://flashbang-magazine.com/5th-unit-1st-unit/ | title=Flashbang - 5th Unit & 1st Unit }}</ref>

The Finnish Border Guard consists of 3,800 active duty personnel. Upon mobilization, it would be wholly or partly incorporated into the [[Finnish Defence Forces]] and its strength increased with reservists who have served their conscription in the branch. 

The mobilized strength of the Finnish Border Guard is 12,600 servicemen. 

The [[Finland–Russia border]] is actively monitored. The western sea borders and the western and northern land [[Finland–Sweden border|borders to Sweden]] and [[Finland–Norway border|Norway]] are free to cross under the [[Nordic passport union]], the Border Guard does however maintain personnel in these regions owing to its SAR duties.

== Cooperation ==
There is a separate [[Finnish Customs]] agency, and immigration is also handled by the [[Police of Finland|Finnish National Police]] and the Finnish Directorate of Immigration. 

PTR (police, customs and border guard) co-operation is well-developed and allows the authorities to conduct each other's duties if necessary.

==Training==
The basic training of border guard personnel is based in [[Imatra]], while the sea training for coast guards is based in [[Turku]].<ref name=rum>{{cite book |date=2020 |title=Ett rum för alla – Folktingets arbete för svenskan i Finland under 100 år |editor1-last=Lindberg |editor1-first=Camilla |language=sv |location=Helsinki |publisher=[[Swedish Assembly of Finland]] |isbn=978-952-9700-61-5}}</ref>

== Equipment ==

===Watercraft===
[[File:Patrol vessel Turva from air.jpg|thumb|right|Patrol vessel {{Lang|fi|Turva}}]]
[[File:Luftkuddefarkost IA-202 vänder 1 - Otto 2013.JPG|thumb|right|Hovercraft ''IA-202'']]
[[File:Sjöbevakningen - PV281.jpg|thumb|right|Patrol boat ''PV 281'']]
The Border Guard operates:
* Three patrol vessels - {{Lang|fi|[[Turva]]}}, {{Lang|fi|Tursas}}, and {{Lang|fi|Uisko}}
* 6 [[Griffon 2000TD hovercraft]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Griffon 2000TD |url=https://www.griffonhoverwork.com/2000td |website=www.griffonhoverwork.com}}</ref>
* 26 Watercat 1300 patrol boats<ref>{{cite web |title=Watercat 1300 Patrol |url=http://www.marinealutech.com/boats/patrol_boats/watercat_1300_patrol |website=www.marinealutech.com}}</ref>
* 15 RV90 coast guard boats,<ref>{{cite web |title=RV90 |url=http://www.tyovene.com/en/products-and-services/patrol-boats/208-rv90 |website=tyovene.com}}</ref> plus other smaller boats.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Border Guard's vessels and aircraft |url=https://www.raja.fi/the_border_guard/the_border_guard_s_vessels_and_aircraft |website=www.raja.fi}}</ref>

===Vehicles===
[[File:Rajavartioston auto Lippujuhlan päivän 2017 kalustoesittely.JPG|thumb|[[Volkswagen Transporter]] in 2017]]
The Finnish Border Guard operates by several types of vehicles on soil.

The list of operative vehicles:

*[[Patrol cars]] - consisting of different types and models [https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c6/Patrol_cars.jpg]
*[[All-terrain vehicles]]
*[[Snowmobiles]]

===Equipment===
Officers carry on a daily basis:
* [[TETRA]]
* Sidearm
* [[Pepper spray]]
* [[Taser]] - model X2 by [[Axon Enterprise]]
* [[Baton (law enforcement)]]
* [[Handcuffs]]
* Light and heavy ballistic armor
* [[Military working dogs]] - The Finnish Border Guard has [[Police dog|K9]] units on every district. The most popular working dog breeds are [[German Shepherd]] and [[Belgian Shepherd|Belgian Malinois]].

=== Aircraft ===
[[File:Finnish Border Guard Aérospatiale AS 332 Super Puma OH-HVP.jpg|thumb|right|Search and rescue helicopter (Super Puma)]]
[[File:Rajavartiolaitos, Dornier Do 228 and Agusta A119 Koala.jpg|thumb|right|Dornier 228 and Agusta A119 Koala]]

The Border Guard operates 14 aircraft, including 12 helicopters. The [[Bell 412|AB 412s]] are to be replaced by new twin-engined helicopters, while the [[Eurocopter AS332 Super Puma|Super Pumas]] and [[Dornier 228|Dornier 228s]] are being modernized.

{| class="wikitable"
! Aircraft
! Type
! Versions
! In service<ref name="awst_20070115">"World Military Aircraft Inventory", Aerospace Source Book 2007, ''[[Aviation Week & Space Technology]]'', January 15, 2007.</ref>
! Notes
|-
| [[AgustaWestland AW119]] || utility helicopter || AW119Ke || 4 || Built by Agusta
|-
| [[Bell 412]] || transport helicopter || AB 412<hr>AB 412EP|| 4<hr>1 || Built by Agusta
|-
| [[Eurocopter Super Puma]] || transport helicopter || AS 332L1<hr>H215 || 1<hr>4 || All helicopters modernized to the H215 standard as of 2022.
|-
| [[Dornier 228]] || maritime patrol aircraft || Dornier 228-212 || 2 || To be replaced. 2x [[Bombardier Challenger 600 series|Challenger 650]] modified by [[Sierra Nevada Corporation]] (Rapcon-X)
|}

===MVX Programme===
The Border Guard has announced that due to increasing problems with Dornier 228's, they are to be replaced by new aircraft. With a budget of 60 million euro, a letter has been sent to around 20 suppliers. 

Candidates include the [[EADS CASA C-295|Airbus C295 MSA]], [[ATR 42]] and [[ATR 72]], and the [[Bombardier Challenger 600 series|Bombardier Challenger 650.]]<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-04-15|title=Nopeammin, korkeammalle, voimakkaammin: Rajavartiolaitos haluaa kaksi uutta, suurta valvontalentokonetta|url=https://www.is.fi/kotimaa/art-2000007921634.html|access-date=2021-05-14|website=Ilta-Sanomat|language=fi}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-08-14|title=Rajavartiolaitoksen valvontalentokoneet ovat elinkaarensa päässä – 25 vuotta palvelleille koneille pitäisi löytää seuraaja|url=https://www.ts.fi/uutiset/5035790|access-date=2021-05-14|website=[[Turun Sanomat]]|language=fi}}</ref> 

In April 2022, the budget of the Dornier 228 MVX replacement program was increased to 163 million euros, along with other defence spending boosts in wake of the [[2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-04-05 |title=Puolustukseen yhteensä kaksi miljardia euroa, työmarkkinatukeen 20–30 euron aikaistettu korotus – hallituksen johto kertoi talouspäätöksistä |url=https://yle.fi/uutiset/3-12390490 |access-date=2022-04-05 |website=Yle Uutiset |language=fi}}</ref>

The Challenger 650 Rapcon-X will feature a synthetic aperture radar, electro-optic and infrared camera systems, and other sensors.<ref>https://www.aerotime.aero/articles/finnish-border-guard-awards-contract-to-snc</ref>

The MVX programme has received a total of 14 different offers. During the selection process the types were reduced, and consists currently of three jet-powered aircraft:<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.lentoposti.fi/uutiset/mvx_hankkeessa_ehdolla_14_erilaista_konetyyppi_rajavartiolaitoksen_dornierit_korvattava_pikaisesti | title=MVX-hankkeessa ehdolla 14 erilaista konetyyppiä - Rajavartiolaitoksen Dornierit korvattava pikaisesti &#124; lentoposti.fi | date=15 April 2021 }}</ref>

====Lighter aircraft====

* {{strikethrough|[[Diamond DA62|Diamond DA62 MPP]]}}
* {{strikethrough|[[PZL M28 Skytruck]]}}
* {{strikethrough|[[Let L-410 Turbolet|Let L-410NG]]}}
* {{strikethrough|[[Piaggio P180 Avanti|Piaggio P180 Avanti EVO]]}}
* {{strikethrough|[[Beechcraft Super King Air|Beechcraft King Air 300]]}}
* {{strikethrough|[[Beechcraft Super King Air|Beechcraft King Air 350]]}}
* {{strikethrough|[[Beechcraft Super King Air|Beechcraft King Air 360ER]]}}

====Larger, propeller-driven turbine powered aircraft, either new or used====

Used:

* {{Strikethrough|[[ATR 42|ATR 42-300]]}}
* {{Strikethrough|[[ATR 72|ATR 72-600]]}}
* {{Strikethrough|[[ATR 72|ATR 72MM]]}}
* {{Strikethrough|[[de Havilland DHC-8|de Havilland DHC-8-100]]}}
* {{Strikethrough|[[de Havilland DHC-8|de Havilland DHC-8-300]]}}

New:
* {{Strikethrough|[[de Havilland DHC-8|de Havilland DHC-8-400]]}}
* {{Strikethrough|[[Airbus C295|Airbus C295MSA]]}}

====Jet-engined aircraft====

* [[Cessna Citation Longitude]]
* [[Bombardier Challenger 650]]
* [[Dassault Falcon 2000|Dassault Falcon 2000MVX]]
* {{strikethrough|[[Embraer Legacy 450/500 and Praetor 500/600|Embraer Praetor 600]]}}<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.lentoposti.fi/uutiset/rajavartiolaitos_tutustuu_mvx_hankkeessa_embraer_praetor_600_liikesuihkukoneeseen_turussa | title=Rajavartiolaitos tutustuu MVX-hankkeessa Embraer Praetor 600 -liikesuihkukoneeseen Turussa &#124; lentoposti.fi | date=26 July 2022 }}</ref>

The final candidates for the complete package are:<ref>{{cite web | url=https://raja.fi/-/rajavartiolaitoksen-monitoimilentokoneiden-hankinta-etenee| title=Rajavartiolaitoksen monitoimilentokoneiden hankinta etenee| date=20 April 2023}}</ref>

* Field Aerospace
* L3Harris Technologies
* Sierra Nevada Corporation
* St Airborne Systems

== History ==
[[File:Fins-Russische_grens_bij_Imatra_met_soldaten,_Bestanddeelnr_920-4774.jpg|thumb|right|Finnish border guards chatting with a villager at the Finnish-Russian border at [[Imatra]], on 5 July 1967.]]
After the [[Finnish Civil War]] in 1919, the control of the Finnish borders was given to the former Finnish Russian frontier troops under the command of the Ministry of Interior. Until 1945, only the Russian border was supervised by the Frontier Guard, the Swedish and Norwegian borders having only customs control. In 1929, a separate Sea Guard was founded to prevent the rampant alcohol smuggling caused by the Finnish [[prohibition]] of alcohol (1919&ndash;1932).

At the start of the [[Winter War]] there were nine Border Companies ({{lang|fi|Rajakomppania}}) on the [[Karelian Isthmus]]. North of [[Lake Ladoga]] the Frontier Guards were combined into six Detached Battalions ({{lang|fi|Erillinen pataljoona}}). Further north in [[Pechengsky District|Petsamo]] the defence was left to the 10th Detached Company ({{lang|fi|10. Erillinen komppania}}). After the war [[Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim|Marshal Mannerheim]] awarded all frontier guards the title "Border [[Finnish Jäger troops|jäger]]" ({{lang|fi|Rajajääkäri}}). During the [[Continuation War]], the Frontier Guard companies were combined into 12 Border Jäger battalions ({{lang|fi|Rajajääkäripataljoona}}) and later during the [[Lapland War]] into a Border Jäger Brigade ({{lang|fi|Rajajääkäriprikaati}}).

== Ranks ==
=== Commissioned officer ranks ===
The rank insignia of [[commissioned officer]]s.
{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;"
{{Ranks and Insignia of NATO Armed Forces/OF/Blank}}
{{Ranks and Insignia of NATO Armies/OF/Finland (Border Guard)}}
|}

=== Other ranks ===
The rank insignia of [[non-commissioned officer]]s and [[Enlisted rank|enlisted personnel]].
{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;"
|- style="background-color:#CCCCCC; text-align:center; width: 100%"
{{Ranks and Insignia of NATO Armies/OR/Blank}}
{{Ranks and Insignia of NATO Armies/OR/Finland (Border Guard)}}
|}

== Current activities ==
{{Neutrality|date=September 2022}}
After the Second World War, the Border Guards were placed on all Finnish borders. In the 1950s, the Sea Guard was attached to the Border Guard. Since then, the Border Guard has received a fine public image. It is famed for the wilderness skills of its guards foot-patrolling the forest-covered Russian border, its good efficiency in catching the few illegal border crossers and for the fact that it is the only state authority in large parts of Lapland. In these matters it resembles the popular image of the [[Royal Canadian Mounted Police]]. The Border Guard of Finland is one of the links of the chain of protectors of the external borders of the [[European Union]] and [[Schengen agreement]].

Nearly every Border Guard District trains small number of conscripts for [[Sissi (Finnish light infantry)|long range reconnaissance]] ({{Langx|fi|Sissi|links=no}}). Conscripts in Border Guard companies are mostly volunteers and preferably selected from the occupants of border areas, and while trained by Border Guard, they do not perform regular border control duties. Rivalry between {{Lang|fi|Sissi}} from Border Guards and Defence Forces is traditionally high.

Employment in Border Guard is much sought for, especially in North and Eastern Finland, which suffer from chronic unemployment problems. Typically a vacancy in the Border Guard receives at least 50 applications.

==See also==
{{Portal|Finland|Law}}
* [[Crime in Finland]]
* [[Finnish Security Intelligence Service]]
* [[Frontex]] (The European Agency for the Management of Operational Cooperation at the External Borders of the Member States of the [[European Union]])
* [[Law enforcement in Finland]]
* [[National Bureau of Investigation (Finland)]]
* [[Police of Finland]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Border Guard of Finland}}
* {{Official website|https://raja.fi/en/}}

{{European Border and Coast Guard|state=expanded}}
{{Finnish Defence Forces}}
{{Border guards}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Border Guard}}
[[Category:Border guards|Finland]]
[[Category:Borders of Finland]]
[[Category:Law enforcement agencies of Finland]]
[[Category:Military of Finland]]
[[Category:1919 establishments in Finland]]
[[Category:Government agencies established in 1919]]