Press releases and news

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’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.

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.

On 27 August 2026, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland and Hanken School of Economics published the final report of the co-research project Critical Functions of Finnish Society and Future Trends that sought to update and strengthen the understanding of which functions are critical to Finnish society. The information needs of the research were determined by the Ministry of Defence.

The Ministry of Defence has awarded a government grant of EUR 4.8 million to the programme for northern Finland for a project to develop 5G/6G network technology that supports homeland defence. A consortium led by the University of Oulu will be responsible for implementing the project.

A new multi-purpose building for the Army Academy will be constructed in the Lappeenranta garrison area. The building will gather accommodation, training, library and storage facilities, as well as the maintenance and common facilities supporting them, under one roof.

A new headquarters building for NATO’s Multi-Corps Land Component Command North (MCLCC-N) will be constructed in the Karkialampi garrison area in Mikkeli.

The Finnish Government has appointed Anu Nousiainen, M.Sc. (Admin.), as Director General of the Administration Policy Department at the Ministry of Defence for a five-year term from 1 October 2026 to 31 September 2031.