Finland Country Commercial Guide
Learn about the market conditions, opportunities, regulations, and business conditions in finland, prepared by at U.S. Embassies worldwide by Commerce Department, State Department and other U.S. agencies’ professionals
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Defense
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Overview

Finland spends more than 2.4 percent of GDP on defense and will boost spending to 3 percent by 2029. As Finland finalizes the acquisition of 64 new F-35Afighter aircraft from the United States, the continued increases in defense spending will create new opportunities for U.S. companies that can provide technology and equipment, particularly as Finland modernizes its land forces. Finland’s focus on its land forces follows the fighter jet acquisition from the United States – the largest national procurement in Finland’s history – as well as the construction of four new navy warships.

The bilateral relationship further strengthened with the Defense Cooperation Agreement (DCA) between the United States and Finland, signed in December 2023.The United States has provided Finland with world-class aircraft over the past three decades, supporting Finland’s national security and providing Finland with economic and technological benefits. The Finnish government agreed to select the F-35A Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter for its HX Fighter Program in late 2021. In June 2025, Finnish defense contractor Patria and Lockheed Martin cut the ribbon on a new production facility that will assemble 400 F-35 fuselages.

Finland is home for global market leaders in logistics, armored wheeled vehicles, and turreted mortar systems. Critical capabilities include command, control, and net-centric capabilities, intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance capabilities and engagement, and protection. The cooperation with the military, defense industry, universities, and research institutions has resulted in indigenous know-how and technological resources. In addition, information and communication technologies in the Finnish industry have supplied innovative solutions for military needs. Other procurement-based partnerships have created extensive industrial capabilities in the modification, updating, and repair of foreign military equipment.

The top sector in the Finland defense market is military fixed wing, followed by naval vessels, surface combatants, and tactical communications systems.

Resources

  • Association of Finnish Defense and Aerospace Industries (PIA)

  • Ministry of Defense

  • The Finnish Defense Forces,

  • European Defense Agency (EDA)

  • The Finnish Budget: (in Finnish)

  • Air Force’s F-35A fighter

Events

  • FinnSec 2025, October 8-9, Helsinki, Helsinki Exhibition and Convention Centre. FinnSec is a leading platform for security technology and services. The event brings together professionals and decision-makers as well as those responsible for corporate security.

  • SecD-Day, a conference and exhibition organized by PIA - Association of Finnish Defense and Aerospace in Helsinki, January 2027.

  • NavyTech in Gothenburg, Sweden, February 2026.

Information: Interested parties may contact Commercial Specialist Tiina Ketelä-Juvonen, tiina.ketela@trade.gov