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
Government proposes to amend Territorial Surveillance Act to enable NATO cooperation
The Finnish Government submitted to Parliament a proposal for amendments to the Territorial Surveillance Act on 7 November 2024. The proposed amendments concern the regulation of entry permits.
Finland, Sweden and Senop Oy sign framework agreement on military optronics
Authorised by Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen, the Finnish Defence Forces has signed a framework agreement on military optronics with the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration and the Finnish company Senop Oy.
Finnish Defence Forces to procure new tactical radios
Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen has authorised the Finnish Defence Forces to start a serial procurement of Finnish tactical radios from Bittium Wireless Ltd. The serial procurement is part of the additional procurement option included in the procurement contract signed in 2018.
Finnish Defence Forces to procure domestic heavy M3 mortars
The Finnish Defence Forces will procure heavy M3 mortars from the Finnish Patria Land Oy amounting to EUR 4.7 million.
Finnish Defence Forces to procure anti-radiation homing missiles for F-35 multi-role fighters
Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen has authorised the Finnish Defence Forces to procure AARGM-ER air-to-ground missiles for F-35 multi-role combat aircraft. The Ministerial Finance Committee endorsed the procurement in its session on 10 October 2024.
Government report on Finland’s contribution to NATO’s collective peacetime missions submitted to Parliament
In its plenary session on 24 October 2024, the Finnish Government endorsed a report on the Finnish Defence Forces’ participation in NATO’s collective peacetime missions in 2025. The report was also submitted to Parliament.
Minister of Defence Häkkänen to attend NATO defence ministers’ meeting
Finland’s Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen will attend a meeting of NATO Ministers of Defence at NATO Headquarters in Brussels on 17–18 October 2024. Topics on the meeting agenda will be NATO’s global partnerships and the strengthening of NATO’s deterrence and defence and support for Ukraine.
Finland to end its crisis management participation in Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq during OIR transition
Finland will end its crisis management participation at Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR) in Iraq by the end of this year. For ten years OIR has been the military mission of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS. As agreed by the United States and Iraq in September, a transition phase towards the conclusion of the mission has begun. Finland joined the operation in 2015. Finland continues to support the security sector of Iraq through NATO Mission Iraq (NMI) and the EU’s civilian crisis management mission.
Additional funding to procurements replacing materiel delivered to Ukraine and to NATO presence
In the third supplementary budget for 2024, the Government proposes to cut the appropriations for the Ministry of Defence’s branch of government by a total of EUR 378.332 million.
Revised Cyber Security Strategy responds to changed security environment
In line with the Programme of Prime Minister Petteri Orpo's Government, Finland's Cyber Security Strategy has been revised to respond to the changed security environment. The strategy will make cyber security a more integral part of Finland's concept of comprehensive security.
Defence Forces to procure inertial navigation system devices
Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen has authorised the Finnish Defence Forces to sign a framework agreement on inertial navigation system (INS) devices.
Finland to join NATO’s 2025 peacetime missions in Iceland and the Baltic Sea among other places
In October, the Government will submit a report to Parliament on Finland’s participation in NATO’s collective peacetime missions.
Finnish defence administration proposes Mikkeli as site for NATO Multi Corps Land Component Command
Finland's defence administration proposes Mikkeli, the town where the Finnish Army Command is based, as the location for NATO's Multi Corps Land Component Command (MCLCC). Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen stated the matter on Friday morning. Finland is closely involved in the detailed military planning process which NATO has launched for establishing the MCLCC.
Sweden announces ambition to take on role as Framework Nation in NATO enhanced forward presence to be established in Finland
The governments of Finland and Sweden held a joint session in Stockholm on 16 September 2024. The purpose of the joint session was to further deepen cooperation between the two countries.
Ukraine to receive more defence materiel from Finland
Finland will deliver more defence materiel to Ukraine. The President of the Republic decided on the matter, on the proposal of the Government, on 13 September 2024.
Minister of Defence Häkkänen to visit South Korea and Japan
Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen will visit South Korea and Japan from 9 to 13 September 2024. Minister Häkkänen will be accompanied on the visit by a research and defence industry delegation put together by Business Finland. The aim of the visit is to develop defence and technology cooperation with South Korea and Japan and to strengthen bilateral relations.
Six negative decisions on real estate transactions
On 4 September 2024, Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen signed six negative permit decisions concerning real estate acquisitions by buyers from outside the EU and EEA. The negative decisions concern properties in Mikkeli, Imatra and Kouvola, and three properties in Lieksa.
Report on banning foreign real estate acquisitions sent out for comments
The Finnish Government aims to improve national security of Finland by tightening the legislation on foreign real estate transactions. A working group appointed by Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen drew up a report on the matter, which will be sent out for comments next. The legislative proposal is due to be submitted to Parliament before the end of the year.
Unofficial EU defence minister meeting in Brussels
The defence ministers of the European Union will convene for an informal meeting in Brussels on 30 August 2024.
Tarja Jaakkola appointed Assistant Secretary General of NATO
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has appointed Tarja Jaakkola, Director-General of the Resource Policy Department of Finland’s Ministry of Defence, to serve as Assistant Secretary General for Defence Investment as of 2 September 2024.