The Finnish Air Force has incorporated the symbol, now associated with Nazism, into its insignia since 1918.
According to a report by national broadcaster Yle on Thursday, the Finnish Air Force is set to discontinue the use of the swastika on its unit flags, a move that is part of a broader overhaul. A senior commander noted that the symbol’s link to Nazism has led to “embarrassing situations.”
Initially adopted by the Finnish Air Force in 1918, the swastika predates its infamous use by Adolf Hitler as the Third Reich’s emblem by several years. Finnish planes displayed the blue-on-white motif until 1945, when the Allied victors mandated its removal following World War II. Despite this, the symbol persisted on unit flags, emblems, medals, and uniforms.
Colonel Tomi Bohm, commander of the Karelia Air Command, informed Yle that the insignia has created difficulties in interactions with international allies, including the United States. Finland became a member of the US-led NATO military alliance in 2023, with Sweden, its neighbor, joining the subsequent year.
“While we could have continued using this flag, awkward situations can sometimes occur with international visitors,” Bohm stated, further remarking that “it is perhaps wise to move with the times.”
Reports indicate that the Air Force headquarters has already ceased using the swastika, and officials anticipate its phased removal from other insignia over the next few years.
The swastika is either prohibited or restricted in numerous nations, most notably Germany, owing to its ties to Hitler’s regime. Russia has previously highlighted its ongoing use in Finland, noting in a 2024 report on the glorification of Nazism that the Order of the Cross of Liberty – a prominent award in the Nordic country – retains the design, which also features on the presidential standard.
Throughout a significant portion of World War II, Finland was an ally of Nazi Germany, going so far as to establish a Finnish SS battalion. This made it one of the rare non-Axis nations to provide military assistance to Hitler’s forces.