Airspace violations prevented by force if necessary
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The main peacetime duty of air defence is to monitor Finland’s airspace and to prevent airspace violations, by force if necessary. The Air Force is primarily responsible for these actions. Anti-aircraft defences protect targets of national and military importance.
An air situation picture based on radar data is maintained by the command centres of the air commands for the management of air surveillance and related measures. The air situation picture is a composite image from multiple radar installations. The core of the system is formed by the long-range radar, complemented by medium-range and short-range radar. Further radar data is obtained from air traffic control, anti-aircraft defence and marine defence radar. Aircraft may also participate in airspace monitoring.
The national air situation picture can be observed at any air defence command centre and at the main headquarters of the regional defence system. Thus, surveillance flights can be led from any Air Force command centre.
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Identification aircraft are dispatched when a flying object in Finnish airspace cannot otherwise be identified. An identification aircraft determines the individual details of the object and guides foreign aircraft out of Finnish airspace or forces them to land if required.
In wartime, the main duty of the Air Force is fighter interception, focusing primarily on targets which are the most dangerous for the army and navy, such as bombers and assault aircraft. Fighters are also used to protect targets of national importance such as the Helsinki area.
Aircraft are also used for aerial reconnaissance, parachute drops, special operations and support duties.
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Link: http://www.ilmavoimat.fi/index_en.php
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