Finland: If the Russians attack us, we are ready.

The Scandinavian country has built a large arsenal. But besides military equipment, General Timo Kivinen says the key factor is that in case of an attack, Finnishs would be motivated to fight.

The most important line of defense is the one among the ears, as war in Ukraine” proves, Kivinen said in an interview.

Finland fought twice in the 1940s against its eastern neighbour, with whom it shares a 1300 - mile [1300 km] long border.

Concerned that Russia could conduct an invasion like Ukraine on 24 February, neutral Finland has applied to join NATO's military alliance. Since World War II, Helsinki has been at a high level of military readiness.

“We have systematically developed our military defence for this kind of war happening in Ukraine, with the massive use of fire power, armed forces and air forces,” said Kivinen.

“Ukrainian is a difficult task (for Russia), as is Finland. ”

About 100,000 Finnishs were killed during the two wars Finland fought against the Soviet Union and lost one tenth of their territory.

The country of 5.5 million has a wartime military force of some 280,000 soldiers with 880,000 trained militias. Military service for men has not been removed as in many other Western countries since the end of the Cold War.

The country also has one of the best artillery in Europe and action-ray cruise missiles of up to 370km. It spends 2 percent of its GDP on defence, a higher level than many NATO member states.

Finland is ordering four new warships, as well as 64 F-35 fighter aircraft from American defence giant Lockheed Martin.

Also, Finland plans to order up to 2000 fears, antiaircraft equipment and build fences on the border with Russia.

Some 82 percent of respondents who responded to a defence ministry survey on May 18th said they would be willing to participate in national protection if Finland was attacked.

Finland, as well as Sweden's bid to join NATO, is opposed by Turkey, a member of the Alliance, and negotiations are under way. Ankara accuses Helsinki and Stockholm of supporting Kurdish militants and an arms embargo on Turkey.

NATO membership would allow Finland to strengthen its early warning capabilities by becoming part of the alliance's joint air control, Kivinen said.

Finland would also benefit from prevention by being a member of an alliance in which an attack on a member is an attack on everyone, he said, concluding Finland would continue to bear the main responsibility for protecting its territory.