The Finnish Navy's main war exercise starts in November

The exercise Meripuolustusharjoitus 2016, MEPU16, is the Finnish Navy's main war exercise and the most important operational exercise in 2016.

The MEPU16 exercise will be held 7 November to 11 November and 14 November to 18 November in the coastal and sea areas of the Archipelago Sea and the Gulf of Finland.

The aim of the exercise is to test, develop and exercise the Navy's readiness and activities related to the Finnish Navy's tasks. The everyday task of the Finnish Navy is to maintain readiness to monitor and secure Finland's territorial integrity at sea. The readiness is a mean to prevent military threats.

The aim of the MEPU16 exercise is to develop the know-how of the personnel and to test the Navy's procedures, its capability to create situational awareness, leadership and ability to cooperate with the other services. The exercise is held according to the Finnish Navy's annual exercise plan.

Vessels from the Finnish Navy's all vessel classes and the Navy's coastal and special units will participate in the exercise.

The MEPU16 exercise will be commanded by the Commander of the Finnish Navy, Rear Admiral Veijo Taipalus.