Gustav Hägglund

Johan Edvin Birger Gustav Hägglund (born September 6, 1938, Viipuri) is a retired Finnish general. He was the Chief of Defence 1994—2001, and Chairman of the European Union Military Committee 2001–2004.

Hägglund's father was General Woldemar Hägglund, commander of the Karelian front in the Second World War. He was born in Viipuri, an area ceded to the Soviet Union in the Second World War. Despite his Swedish-speaking family background, the Finnish language immersion was total in his youth, and he ultimately had to learn Swedish at school. He was educated not only at the Cadet School in Finland, but also in the United States Army Command and General Staff College in Leavenworth, Kansas. He is also a fellow of the Harvard University.

He commanded United Nations troops in as the commander of the Finnish battalion (FINBATT) in UNEF II in Sinai, and as the commander of UNIFIL in Southern Lebanon.

He has published three books, one concerning defence of Finland, one about defence of Europe and an autobiography. In the 2000's, Hägglund has promoted the development of the independent defence of Europe, and estimated that the United States shifts its focus away from Europe, changing the role of NATO.

References

*Gustav Hägglund: "Leijona ja kyyhky" (2006), Otava, ISBN: 9789511211617