Press releases and news

On 7 October 2026, Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen rejected six applications for a permit to buy real estate in Finland. The prospective buyers were from countries outside the EU an EEA, and the negative decisions concerned properties in Kotka, Viitasaari, Miehikkälä and Imatra.

The Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs have published the results of the joint Russia’s Futures foresight project. A collaboration involving a wide range of experts, the project set out to strengthen Finland’s ability to anticipate possible developments in Russia and assess their implications for Finland, Europe and the international system through to 2045.

Finland received its first F-35 combat aircraft at an arrival ceremony in Rovaniemi. Finland’s Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen addressed the ceremony, highlighting the importance of these next-generation fighters for Finland’s defence and recounting their wider positive effects.

The Finnish Government proposes that the agreement between Finland and the United States on research, development, testing and evaluation projects be extended until 2032.

Finland’s Minister of Defence has called off his attendance at the meeting of Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) defence ministers in Reykjavík, Iceland, on 1–2 October 2026 due to a vote of confidence in Parliament.

The Finnish Defence Forces Logistics Command and Patria have signed a contract for the pre-series procurement of TRACKX tracked vehicles for the Finnish Army. The first pre-series vehicles will be delivered in autumn 2027, when field testing will begin at the Kainuu Brigade.

At its plenary session on 24 September 2026, the Government approved Finland’s participation in the Security Action for Europe (SAFE) instrument and authorised Minister of Finance Riikka Purra to sign the loan agreement. The instrument will be implemented by the defence administration.

Finland’s Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen will attend a meeting of Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) defence ministers in Reykjavík, Iceland, on 1–2 October 2026. This is the first official meeting of JEF defence ministers to be held in person this year.

Finland and Ukraine have signed an Agreement on Enhanced Defence and Security Cooperation under the Drone Deal format. It will enable defence materiel cooperation between the two countries.

Finland’s Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen visited Lebanon and Israel from 13 to 18 September 2026.

Finland’s Ministry of Defence will open a public consultation on a draft bill on an act on the international cooperation of the Finnish Defence Forces. The new act would lay down provisions on the status and terms of employment of Defence Forces personnel participating in international cooperation.

The cornerstone ceremony of the future TNT production facility was held in Pori on 15 September 2026. The project received $20 million in financial support from the United States.

Finland will deliver its 34th materiel assistance package to Ukraine. The President of the Republic decided on the matter on 15 September 2026 on the proposal of the Government.

With the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), Finland and South Korea agree on a mutual approach to the quality assurance of defence products by their respective defence administrations. The MoU creates a framework for cooperation between Finland and South Korea.

Finland has decided to join France’s nuclear deterrence initiative which is significant for security in Europe. The initiative is a form of bilateral cooperation between Finland and France. Finland has been discussing the initiative confidentially with France both at the highest political level and at the level of officials.

Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen has decided on the participation of the Finnish Defence Forces in international training and exercises in 2027.

Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen has authorised the Finnish Defence Forces to procure more than one hundred vehicle-fitted mortar systems from Patria. The new 120 mm Modular Mobile Mortar (M3) system will improve the mobility, protection and firing capacity of forces across a wide area.

A drone was discovered on the coast of Porvoo on Tuesday 1 September following sighting by a member of the public. Preliminary information indicates that the drone is used for surveying and mapping and poses no danger to the public.

On 1 September 2026, the Government of Prime Minister Petteri Orpo reached a decision on its budget proposal for 2027 and is steadily implementing the agenda it agreed at the spending limits session. The agenda includes EUR 100 million of investment in construction and numerous transport infrastructure projects. The Government’s targeted measures will support economic growth.

Building on an exceptionally close partnership and a longstanding defence cooperation, Finland and Sweden will together strengthen territorial surveillance and protection of Finland’s territorial integrity, in support of NATO’s deterrence and defence.