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
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.
Collective defence of North Atlantic Treaty Organization to become statutory duty of Finnish Defence Forces
At its session on 20 February 2025, the Finnish Government approved the government proposal for amending the Act on the Defence Forces based on Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen’s presentation. The Finnish Defence Forces would be given a new statutory duty, the collective defence of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
Minister of Defence Häkkänen signs Letter of Intent on Slovenian procurement of 8 x 8 Armoured Vehicles
Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen signed a Letter of Intent between Slovenia and Finland on support for the procurement of 8 x 8 Armoured Modular Vehicles on Thursday 13th February 2025 in Brussels. On the Slovenian side the Letter of Intent was signed by Minister of Defence Borut Sajovic.
Minister of Defence Häkkänen to attend meeting of UDCG, meeting of NATO Ministers of Defence and Munich Security Conference
Finland’s Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen will visit Brussels and attend the meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) on Wednesday 12 February and the meeting of NATO Ministers of Defence on Thursday 13 February. From Brussels, Minister Häkkänen will travel to Munich to attend the Munich Security Conference on 14–15 February.
Suspected violation of Finnish airspace over the Gulf of Finland
A Russian state aircraft is suspected of having violated Finnish airspace over the Gulf of Finland, west of the town of Hanko.
Government submits to Parliament bill on restricting real estate transactions by Russians
On 6 February 2025, the Finnish Government submitted to Parliament a proposal for legislation banning foreign real estate acquisitions. Permits would not be granted to persons whose country of nationality is waging a war of aggression and may pose a threat to Finland’s national security. This ban would also apply to entities who are domiciled in the territory of such a country or owned or influenced by citizens or entities of such a country.
Minister of Defence Häkkänen: A new TNT factory will be built in Finland
A new TNT factory will be built in Finland. Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen announced this on 31 January 2025. The factory will be located in Pori. The project's value exceeds 200 million euros.
Finland to send more defence materiel to Ukraine
Finland will deliver its 27th materiel assistance package to Ukraine. The President of the Republic decided on the matter on 31 January 2025 on the proposal of the Government.
Germany to join Finland-led CAVS Framework Agreement
Germany joins into Common Armoured Vehicle System (CAVS) Framework Agreement which enables serial procurement of CAVS vehicles from Patria. The CAVS Framework Agreement has been previously entered between Finland, Sweden, and Latvia.
Nordic defence ministers to meet in Helsinki
Nordic defence ministers will meet in Helsinki on 30 January 2025.
Finland’s comprehensive security reinforced through new security strategy for society
The Finnish Government adopted a government resolution on the Security Strategy for Society at its plenary session on 16 January 2025. The Security Strategy for Society is the most important document guiding comprehensive security in Finland. It describes the concept for comprehensive security and assigns each branch of government strategic tasks to strengthen comprehensive security. Vital functions of society will be safeguarded in collaboration with the authorities, business community, organisations and citizens.
Esa Pulkkinen to continue as Permanent Secretary of Finland’s Ministry of Defence until 31 January 2026
On 16 January 2025, the Finnish Government decided to extend the appointment of Esa Pulkkinen, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, beyond his statutory age of retirement from 1 August 2025 to 31 January 2026.
Finnish Defence Forces to renew support and maintenance contract for KASI
Finland’s Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen has authorised the Finnish Defence Forces to sign a support and maintenance contract for the Two-sided Combat Simulator System (KASI) for 2025–2028 with the Swedish company Saab AB Training & Simulation.
Finland’s Minister of Defence Häkkänen to attend meeting of Ukraine Defense Contact Group at Ramstein Airbase
The Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) will meet at Ramstein Airbase in Germany on Thursday 9 January. Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen will represent Finland at the meeting.
Finland to chair Nordic Defence Cooperation in 2025
Finland will hold the chair of the Nordic Defence Cooperation (NORDEFCO) from 1 January 2025 until the end of the year. In the rotating system, Finland took over the chair from Denmark.