Official press releases, news and speeches that the minister has held are located in this section. The Ministry of Defence publishes all of its press releases and news in Finnish and Swedish and many of them in English, too.
Press Releases
Ukraine Defense Contact Group to meet in Brussels
The Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG), coordinating materiel support for Ukraine, will meet in Brussels on Friday 11 April 2025.
Minister of Defence Häkkänen to attend informal meeting of EU defence ministers
Finland’s Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen will attend an informal meeting of EU defence ministers in Warsaw, Poland, on 2–3 April 2025.
Government to begin preparations to withdraw from the Ottawa Convention and to increase national defence expenditure
The security environment in Finland and Europe has changed fundamentally. Russia poses a long-term threat to Europe. This requires the Government to take action. Finland will continue to strengthen its defence on a threat-informed and needs-driven basis.
Finland to raise defence spending to at least three percent of GDP
Finland will raise national defence spending to at least three percent of GDP by 2029. The aim was proposed by Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen and endorsed by the Ministerial Committee on Economic Policy on Tuesday.
Denmark joins CAVS Programme to enable procurement of Armoured vehicles
Denmark joins the Finnish-led Common Armoured Vehicle System (CAVS) programme. The Danish Ministry of Defence announced the accession decision in its press release of 1.4.2025. The purpose of the CAVS programme is to develop the 6 x 6 Armoured Vehicle System to meet the common requirements and needs of the participating countries.
Ministry of Defence to launch national project promoting physical activity and capacity among people of call-up age
Finland’s Ministry of Defence will launch an extensive national project to promote physical activity and capacity among young men of call-up age and women applying for voluntary military service. It seeks to include the promotion of physical ability and capacity in the call-up process. The project is part of the Get Finland Moving programme, which is a cross-government package of measures based on the Programme of Prime Minister Orpo’s Government.
Working group proposes to strengthen voluntary national defence
The working group reviewing the target state of voluntary national defence submitted its report to Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen on 21 March 2025. The working group identified three possible alternatives for organising voluntary national defence. Based on the review, the working group proposes to strengthen voluntary national defence by preserving the best parts of the current system, while improving its operational and strategic effectiveness.
Finnish Defence Forces places order with Nammo Lapua for full charges for artillery
Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen has authorised the Defence Forces to a place a EUR 79 million order with Nammo Lapua for the supply of full charges for 155 mm artillery. These are used as propelling charges for firing 155 K 83-97 and 155 K 98 artillery guns and 155 PSH K9 “Thunder” armoured howitzers.
Construction of F-35 fighter engine assembly and maintenance facilities in Finland progresses as scheduled
The construction project of assembly and maintenance facilities for F-35 fighter aircraft engines in Linnavuori, Nokia, is progressing on schedule. The topping-out ceremony took place on 14 March 2025.
Finnish-led project covering FAMOUS armoured vehicles to progress – total value over EUR 100 million
Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen authorised the Finnish Defence Forces to sign the FAMOUS IA2 Implementation Agreement, the FAMOUS 2 Project Agreement and the FAMOUS 2 National Agreement.
Finnish Defence Forces to place large cartridge order with Nammo Lapua
Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen has authorised the Finnish Defence Forces to procure cartridges for model 7.62 RK and 7.62 KIV rifles from the Finnish company Nammo Lapua Oy.
Finland and Ukraine sign new MoU on defence cooperation – Finland announces new arms assistance package
Finland’s Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen and Ukraine’s Minister of Defence Rustem Umerov met bilaterally on Thursday 13 March 2025. They signed a Memorandum of Understanding on defence cooperation between the two countries’ defence administrations.
Nordic defence ministers to meet in Helsinki
Nordic defence ministers will meet in Helsinki on 13 March 2025.
Nordic countries to harmonise processes for certification of ammunition
Finland, Denmark, Norway and Sweden have signed a Technical Arrangement on ammunition certification to harmonise Nordic processes for the certification of ammunition.
Finland and Denmark to enhance their defence cooperation
Finland’s Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen and Denmark’s Minister of Defence Troels Lund Poulsen signed a joint declaration on Tuesday 4 March 2025 in connection with the Danish state visit to Finland. In the declaration, the two countries underline their readiness to enhance bilateral defence cooperation. The ministers also signed a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministries of Defence of Finland and Denmark regarding bilateral defence cooperation.
Permanent Secretary Pulkkinen to visit United States
Permanent Secretary of Finland’s Ministry of Defence Esa Pulkkinen will pay a working visit to the United States on 2–6 March 2025. During his visit, he will meet representatives of the new US administration at the Department of Defense and the Department of State.
Finnish Defence Forces to continue its contribution to SNMG1
The participation of the Finnish Defence Forces in the tasks of the Standing NATO Maritime Group One (SNMG1) will be extended in 2025, according to a decision by the Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen. In 2025, a Hamina class vessel will be deployed to the SNMG1 for a maximum of four months instead of the initial one month.
Ministry of Defence to launch new programme to support Ukraine, promising Finnish defence industry orders for value of EUR 660 million
Finland’s Ministry of Defence will launch a new programme to support Ukraine whereby products will be ordered directly from the Finnish defence industry.
Finnish Navy to supplement recognised maritime picture together with US Marine Corps
Finland’s Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen has decided that the United States Marine Corps will participate in supplementing the recognised maritime picture in the Gulf of Finland in cooperation with the Finnish Navy.