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
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.
Minister of Defence Häkkänen decides on procurement of TNT explosives
Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen has authorised the Finnish Defence Forces to sign a procurement contract on TNT high explosives.
Finland and United States sign first DCA implementing agreement
Finland and the United States signed the Implementing Agreement Regarding Infrastructure in Implementation of the Agreement on Defence Cooperation Between the Government of the Republic of Finland and the Government of the United States of America on 13 August 2025.
Denmark to join Finland-led CAVS Framework Agreement
Denmark joins by once into the all three main agreements of Common Armoured Vehicle System CAVS Programme (Research & Development Agreement, Framework Agreement and Life Cycle Management Frame Agreement) which enables developing new vehicle variants, serial procurements of CAVS vehicles from Patria and guarantees joint life cycle management services. Denmark joined into the CAVS Programme earlier this year. The other participants of CAVS Programme are Finland, Sweden, Germany and Latvia.
Government proposal: the Conscription Act will be amended with regard to Åland residents and persons whose gender has been legally recognised
On 10 July 2025, the Finnish Government submitted to Parliament a proposal for amending the Conscription Act and the Act on Voluntary Military Service for Women. The amendments would apply to Åland residents and to persons whose gender has been legally recognised.
Finland to procure its first own satellites for defence
Finland’s Ministry of Defence and Iceye Oy have signed a letter of intent that allows Finland to procure Iceye synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites.
Statement regarding NATO’s Forward Land Forces in Finland
Forward Land Forces Finland is an important part of NATO’s deterrence and defence posture on the Northern Flank and a strong expression of Allied unity and solidarity.
Denmark, France, Iceland, Norway and United Kingdom to contribute to NATO Forward Land Forces in Finland
Denmark, France, Iceland, Norway and United Kingdom will take part in developing the presence of NATO’s Forward Land Forces (FLF) in Finland. NATO defence ministers announced the contribution during the NATO Summit working dinner in defence ministers’ session on 24 June 2025.
Finland prepared to host NATO Innovation Range
Finland’s Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen signed a letter of intent concerning cooperation on fielding NATO Innovation Ranges at the NATO Summit Defence Industry Forum in The Hague on Tuesday 24 June 2025. The letter of intent was also signed by Estonia, Italy, Latvia, the Netherlands and Sweden.
Finnish Defence Forces to procure firefighting vehicles
The Finnish Defence Forces will procure fourteen fire engines and one foam tender from Scania Suomi Oy.
Appointments of generals
The President of the Republic has appointed Major General Mika Kalliomaa as Finland's Military Representative to the EU and NATO and Colonel Jaro Kesänen as Rector of the National Defence University. Kesänen is also appointed to the post of General for the term of 1 January 2026–31 August 2030.
Exports of defence materiel continued to grow in 2024
The Ministry of Defence has published a report on the exports of defence materiel in 2024. The report provides statistical data on both the granted export licences and actual exports.
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.