Finland Deepens Defense Ties with Ukraine, Pledges €200M in Military Aid

Finland and Ukraine signed a memorandum of understanding on defense cooperation, expanding collaboration on defense materiel, information exchange, research, and ammunition production.

Finnish Defense Minister Antti Häkkänen and his Ukrainian counterpart Rustem Umerov signed the agreement during a bilateral meeting on March 13.

Häkkänen emphasized Finland’s longstanding support for Ukraine, stating that, given their shared historical experiences with Russia, Helsinki remains committed to assisting Kyiv.

However, he noted that the partnership is mutually beneficial, as Finland can learn from Ukraine’s battlefield experience. “Three years of war against Russia have made Ukraine’s armed forces one of the strongest in Europe. It is therefore clear that in developing our own defense, we should listen carefully to Ukraine’s teachings,” Häkkänen said.

During the meeting, Finland also announced a new military aid package to Ukraine worth approximately €200 million, pending government and presidential approval. This marks Finland’s 28th arms package for Ukraine.

In January, Helsinki approved the 27th package of nearly the same value, and in February, it launched a €660 million defense industry program to produce new military equipment for Ukraine. The total value of Finland’s defense aid to Ukraine has now reached €3.3 billion.

While details of the latest aid package were not disclosed, Häkkänen confirmed it includes artillery ammunition.

He highlighted the broad political and national consensus in Finland for continued support to Ukraine, adding that the defense industry initiative also strengthens Finland’s own security of supply.

Earlier, a French E-3CF airborne early warning and control aircraft, escorted by Rafale fighter jets, conducted a reconnaissance mission over the Black Sea, flight tracking data from Flightradar24 showed on March 12.