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 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.
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.