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
Eleven negative decisions on real estate transactions
On 24 October 2025, Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen denied eleven prospective buyers from outside the EU and EEA a permit to buy real estate in Finland.
Finland to strengthen its contribution to NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine
In the future, Finland will be able to deploy up to 15 soldiers to the NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine (NSATU). The current level of participation is five soldiers.
Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen: Italy will participate in NATO’s Forward Land Forces in Finland
Italy will participate in NATO’s Forward Land Forces (FLF) in Finland. Finland’s Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen and Italy’s Minister of Defence Guido Crosetto discussed the matter on Wednesday 22 October 2025.
Statement regarding Italy’s participation in NATO’s Forward Land Forces in Finland
Italy has announced its participation in NATO’s Forward Land Forces (FLF) in Finland. Defence ministers Antti Häkkänen and Guido Crosetto discussed Italy’s participation during their bilateral discussion on 22 October 2025. Forward Land Forces Finland is an important part of NATO’s deterrence and defence posture on the Northern Flank.
Nordic countries to prepare joint procurement of unmanned aircraft
Finland, Sweden, Norway and Denmark prepare joint procurements of unmanned aircraft systems and related technologies. The Technical Arrangement was signed in Helsinki on 22 October 2025.
Minister Häkkänen: Finland sends more defence materiel assistance to Ukraine
Finland will deliver its 30th materiel assistance package to Ukraine. A decision on the matter was made by the President of the Republic on the proposal of the the Government on 17th October 2025.
Finland to lead Naval Mines Cooperation
In July 2024, the Defence Ministers of Denmark, Estonia, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Sweden and Finland signed a Letter of Intent on Naval Mines Cooperation Baltic Sea.
Minister of Defence Häkkänen to NATO defence ministers’ meeting, Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting and to EU defence ministers’ meeting
Finland’s Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen will attend a meeting of NATO Ministers of Defence, a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) and the European Union’s Foreign Affairs Council with defence ministers in Brussels on Wednesday 15 October 2025.
Finland to participate in NATO’s annual nuclear deterrence exercise
Finland will send F/A-18 Hornet fighters and staff officers to NATO’s annual nuclear deterrence exercise ‘Steadfast Noon’ taking place between 13 and 24 October 2025.
Finland and Iceland to enhance their defence cooperation
Finland’s Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen and Iceland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir signed a Memorandum of Understanding on defence cooperation on Tuesday 7 October 2025 in connection with the Icelandic state visit to Finland.
Finnish Minister of Defence Häkkänen at opening of NATO’s MCLCC-N: This is a historic day for Finland, NATO and Mikkeli
Finland’s Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen gave an opening address at the inauguration of NATO’s Multi-Corps Land Component Command North (MCLCC-N) in Mikkeli, Finland, on Friday 3 October 2025.
Finland to contribute to safeguarding Denmark’s airspace
On the proposal of the Government, the President of the Republic has decided that the Finnish Defence Forces will contribute to safeguarding Denmark’s airspace.
Minister of Defence decides on establishment of three endowed professorships
On 25 September 2025, Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen decided on the establishment of three fixed-term professorships at the National Defence University in Finland. The costs of these positions will be covered using donated funds.
Finnish Defence Forces to launch army materiel procurement projects for 2030s
The 2026 budget proposal for the branch of government of the Finnish Ministry of Defence totals EUR 6.3 billion, representing 2.5 per cent of the GDP forecast for 2026.
Permanent Secretary Pulkkinen: Cooperation between like-minded countries is increasingly important in the current security situation
Permanent Secretary of Finland’s Ministry of Defence Esa Pulkkinen visited Japan last week.
United Kingdom and Norway to join Finland-led Common Armoured Vehicle System Programme
The United Kingdom and Norway will join the Common Armoured Vehicle System (CAVS) multinational programme, which is led by Finland. Besides Finland, the programme already includes Latvia, Sweden, Germany and, most recently, Denmark who joined the programme earlier this year.
Permanent Secretary Pulkkinen: Finland and South Korea see opportunities for deeper industrial and technological cooperation
The Permanent Secretary of the Finnish Ministry of Defence, Esa Pulkkinen, is on a working visit in South Korea.
Finland’s satellite procurement proceeds
Finland’s Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen has authorised the Finnish Defence Forces to place an order for a satellite remote sensing system with the Finnish company Iceye Oy.
Permanent Secretary Pulkkinen to South Korea and Japan
Permanent Secretary of Finland’s Ministry of Defence Esa Pulkkinen will pay a working visit to South Korea and Japan from 8 to 12 September 2025.
Finnish Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen decides to launch activities of NATO’s MCLCC-N in Mikkeli
On 29 August 2025, Finland’s Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen decided to commence the activities of NATO’s Multi-Corps Land Component Command North (MCLCC-N) in Mikkeli, Finland.