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
Finland, Sweden, Norway and Denmark to participate in NATO MRTT air transport fleet
On Thursday 5 June 2025, the defence ministers of Finland, Sweden, Norway and Denmark signed a Letter of Intent on Participation in NATO’s Multi-Role Multinational Tanker Transport (MRTT) Fleet (MMF) at the meetings of NATO defence ministers.
Finland, Sweden, Norway, Lithuania, Estonia and the Netherlands look into joint procurement of armoured infantry fighting vehicles
Finland, Sweden, Norway, Lithuania, Estonia and the Netherlands signed a statement of intent on 5 June 2025 based on which they will look into and prepare a possible joint procurement of CV90 armoured infantry fighting vehicles.
Two negative decisions on real estate transactions
On 4 June 2025, Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen denied two prospective buyers from outside the EU and EEA permissions to buy real estates in Finland.
Defence Minister Häkkänen to attend meetings of Ukraine Defense Contact Group and NATO defence ministers in Brussels
Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen will attend a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) and a meeting of NATO defence ministers at NATO Headquarters in Brussels on 4–5 June 2025.
Minister of Defence Häkkänen decided on participation of Defence Forces in international training and exercises in 2026
Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen has decided on the participation of Finland’s Defence Forces in international training and exercises in 2026.
Finland to lead EU project on quantum technology for defence
Finland has proposed a project Quantum Enablers for Strategic Advantage (QUEST) for the sixth wave of projects under the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO).
Government decided on national model for host nation support
On 28 May 2025, the Government issued a resolution on the national model for host nation support.
Minister of Defence Häkkänen to visit Singapore
Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen will pay a working visit to Singapore on 30-31 May.
Finland to join NATO’s 2026 peacetime activities primarily in Baltic Sea, North Sea and North Atlantic
In its plenary session on 22 May 2025, the Finnish Government endorsed a report on the Finnish Defence Forces’ participation in NATO’s peacetime activities in 2026. The report was also submitted to Parliament.
Minister Häkkänen: New Navy vessels strengthen security on the Baltic Sea as a whole
Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen attended the launching ceremony for the first Pohjanmaa-class corvette in Rauma. The corvette was moved from the shipyard’s construction hall to the dock basin for continued construction and outfitting.
Finland to supply ammunition to Ukraine by using proceeds from frozen Russian assets
Finland has been selected as one of the states implementing European Union measures to supply Ukraine with defence materiel using proceeds from frozen Russian assets.
Finnish-led software programme to receive EUR 45 million from European Defence Fund
The results of the 2024 European Defence Fund (EDF) call for proposals have been published. Finnish industry and research are once again well represented in the EDF projects. The EDF supports defence research and development projects across the EU with around one billion euros annually.
Draft proposal on raising maximum age of reservists sent out for comments
Number of reservists to reach one million.
Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen: The revised NORDEFCO Memorandum of Understanding will strengthen Nordic defence
Nordic defence ministers signed a revised Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Nordic Defence Cooperation (NORDECO) on 6 May 2025.
Nordic defence ministers to meet in Rovaniemi
Finland's Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen will host a meeting of Nordic defence ministers in Rovaniemi in Finland's Lapland from 6 to 7 May 2025. Finland chairs the Nordic Defence Cooperation (NORDEFCO) in 2025.
Finland’s Ministry of Defence to host NATO Nuclear Policy Symposium in Helsinki
NATO’s annual Nuclear Policy Symposium will be held in Helsinki on 29–30 April. Held annually since 1992, the Symposium is the main annual event focusing on the Alliance’s nuclear policy. The NATO Nuclear Policy Symposium brings together high-level experts from Allies’ governments and research institutes. This is the first time Finland hosts the Symposium.
Finnish defence administration issues sustainability report for 2024
The Ministry of Defence and the Finnish Defence Forces have published an annual report on the sustainability efforts of the Finnish defence administration. The report describes the defence administration’s sustainability priorities and the results achieved in them in 2024. The defence administration’s responsibility to ensure overall sustainability across its activities is growing due to additional resources, expanding activities and their increasing impact on society.
Defence Forces to purchase utility pouch sets from Finn-Savotta
Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen has authorised the Defence Forces to conclude a framework agreement on utility pouch sets with Finn-Savotta Oy. The utility pouch sets have been designed to be compatible with the protective vests used by the Defence Forces.
Lithuania and Latvia conclude contract to research and develop Finnish landing craft
The Finnish boat manufacturer Marine Alutech Oy Ab has concluded a contract with the Lithuanian and Latvian ministries of defence for a procurement programme to research and develop fast multirole attack craft.