Finnish Government proposes to amend Nuclear Energy Act and Criminal Code to strengthen NATO’s deterrence and defence

Finland’s Ministry of Defence will circulate for comments a draft government proposal to amend the Nuclear Energy Act and the Criminal Code.

The objective is to remove legal barriers to enable Finland’s homeland defence as part of the Alliance and the full utilisation of NATO’s deterrence and defence.

The current legislation bans all import of nuclear devices into Finland and the transport, supply and possession of them in Finland. The draft proposal would allow the import of nuclear devices into Finland or their transport, supply or possession in Finland in the context of Finland’s homeland defence, NATO’s collective defence or defence cooperation.

Most NATO member states have no legal barriers to the full execution of NATO’s deterrence and defence. The draft proposal would make Finnish legislation compatible with NATO’s functions. The proposed amendment is part of the legislative reforms the Programme of Prime Minister Orpo’s Government outlines as necessary for Finland’s integration with NATO.

The amendment is proposed in order to maximise Finland’s security in an unpredictable operating environment. Its purpose is to ensure that all elements of NATO’s deterrence are credible and that the threshold of military action against Finland and the Alliance remains as high as possible. The amendment would strengthen deterrence, and its purpose is to prevent the use of military force against Finland and the Alliance.

Finland must contribute to the sustainment and development of NATO’s defence capability and, where necessary, to the full execution of NATO’s collective defence. The legislative amendment would enable not only NATO’s activities but also bilateral and multilateral cooperation. It would bring Finland’s contribution to NATO’s nuclear deterrence on a par with our closest allies.

According to NATO’s Strategic Concept, the fundamental purpose of NATO’s nuclear capability is to preserve peace, prevent coercion and deter aggression. As long as nuclear weapons exist, NATO will remain a nuclear alliance. However, NATO seeks to create the security environment for a world without nuclear weapons. NATO is a defensive alliance that fully complies with international law. All NATO member states, Finland included, are parties to the Treaty on the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and are committed to its full implementation.

The proposed amendment would not mean that Finland would be seeking to have nuclear weapons in its territory. Finland does not seek to have nuclear weapons in its territory nor is NATO planning such a move. Moreover, the amendment would not impact NATO’s nuclear exercises as no nuclear weapons are moved during such exercises now or in future.

The proposed amendment to the Nuclear Energy Act would not conflict with Finland’s international obligations, and Finland would comply with the NPT, the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) and any other international agreement binding on Finland as before. Finland will continue its active efforts to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and counter threats deriving from them.

It would still be in all situations punishable as a nuclear device offence to acquire, manufacture, develop and detonate nuclear devices and to conduct research for the purpose of manufacturing one. Moreover, nuclear device offences committed with a terrorist intent would remain criminalised as before.

The goal is for the amendments to enter into force as soon as possible.

The deadline for submitting comments is Thursday 2 April 2026.

Requests for interviews with Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen: Dani Niskanen, Special Adviser, tel. +358 295 140 109.

Inquiries: Janne Kuusela, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence. Contact via Director of Communications, Niina Hyrsky, tel. +358 295 140 120 or [email protected].