FILE - Flags of Finnish Air Forces are seen during a parade in Jyvaskyla, Finland in November 2024. (Tommi Anttonen/Lehtikuva via AP, File)
The Finnish Air Force has announced plans to phase out the use of swastikas on some of its unit flags. This decision, which comes as Finland integrates more closely with NATO, aims to avoid potential discomfort with its Western allies. While the swastika has been a part of Finland’s air force insignia since 1918, its association with Nazi Germany and hate groups has prompted a reconsideration of its use in contemporary contexts.
Historical Context of the Swastika in Finland
The Finnish Air Force adopted the swastika emblem shortly after the country gained independence from Imperial Russia. Count Eric von Rosen, a Swedish aristocrat, donated Finland’s first military aircraft, which featured the swastika as his personal symbol. From 1918 to 1945, the Finnish air force prominently displayed a blue swastika on a white background as its national insignia. Despite this long history, the symbol has become increasingly controversial due to its connections with Nazi ideology.
According to Teivo Teivanen, a professor of world politics at the University of Helsinki, the flags currently in question were introduced in the 1950s and are used by four Air Force units. While Finnish authorities have maintained that their use of the swastika is separate from its Nazi connotations, the ongoing integration with NATO has prompted a reassessment of this stance. Teivanen noted that Finnish air force officials have long insisted that the swastikas were not linked to Nazi Germany, despite Finland’s historical alliance with the Third Reich during World War II.
Modern Implications and the Decision to Change
The decision to phase out the swastika has been influenced by Finland’s membership in NATO, which it officially joined in April 2023. The Defense Forces confirmed that plans to update the air force unit flags were initiated in the same year but emphasized that these changes are not directly tied to NATO membership. The primary objective is to modernize the symbolism and emblems to better reflect the current identity of the Air Force.
In a statement to the media, Col. Tomi Böhm, the new head of the Karelia Air Wing, commented on the potential awkwardness the flags might create during international military events. He stated, “We could have continued with this flag, but sometimes awkward situations can arise with foreign visitors. It may be wise to live with the times.”
The Finnish Defense Forces expressed that the removal of the swastikas from the unit flags represents a logical continuation of a reform process that has already seen the symbol eliminated from most other Air Force emblems.
As Finland seeks to strengthen its ties with NATO allies, including the Netherlands and Germany, the change reflects a broader effort to align with the values and perceptions of these nations. In 2021, German air force units withdrew from a ceremony in Finland after discovering that swastikas would be displayed, highlighting the sensitivity surrounding the symbol.
The new flags, featuring an eagle emblem, will be introduced once the design work is complete. The Defense Forces did not specify a timeline for when these flags will be officially used in events and ceremonies.
This transition marks an important step for the Finnish Air Force as it navigates the complexities of historical symbolism and contemporary international relations.
