Finland, Israel quietly extend defense agreement for 10 years

Finland and Israel have quietly extended their defense cooperation agreement for another ten years, according to reports from Finland’s public broadcaster YLE. The memorandum of understanding (MoU), originally signed in 2013, has been renewed through 2034, marking a long-term commitment to collaborative efforts in research and development, procurement, and strategic defense initiatives. The extension was approved by Finland’s Defense Minister Antti Häkkänen in early 2024, despite facing strong criticism amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The agreement remained undisclosed until YLE revealed it. The renewal was proposed by Finland after the initial MoU’s validity was set to expire. Finland sought to extend the agreement to a ten-year term rather than the previously agreed five-year duration, a proposal that was accepted by Israel’s Defense Ministry. Maj.-Gen. (res.) Amir Baram, director general of Israel’s Defense Ministry, confirmed the acceptance of the extension. In a letter to YLE, he expressed appreciation for the cooperative relationship and looked forward to future joint projects. The agreement includes provisions for continued collaboration between Finnish and Israeli defense entities, including major arms purchases and ongoing R&D partnerships. Israeli defense companies have maintained a presence in Finland for several years, with multiple subsidiaries operating within the country. Additionally, there has been sustained cooperation with Finnish firms. While earlier annual purchases from Israeli defense industries were modest, amounting to just a few million dollars, the current level of procurement has surged significantly, reaching into the hundreds of millions of euros annually, with projections indicating further growth. Notable acquisitions include the David’s Sling air defense system, procured in 2023 for €316 million. This was followed by the supply of Spike anti-tank missiles to the Finnish Army in 2022, valued at €213 million. Another significant purchase was the Gabriel anti-ship missiles acquired by the Finnish Navy in 2018, costing €162 million. These transactions underscore the increasing depth and scale of military collaboration between the two nations. Currently, approximately twenty defense-related projects are underway between Finland and Israel. The extension of the MoU was reportedly facilitated during the visit of General Janne Jaakkola, Commander of the Finnish Defense Forces, to Israel from August 3 to 6. During this visit, discussions focused on evolving security challenges and the development of a multilayered air defense system. Jaakkola emphasized the goal of creating a networked and scalable defense framework capable of addressing both rapid and large-scale aerial and missile threats. Despite the official endorsement of the agreement, the move drew sharp criticism from Finland’s opposition parties. Sofia Virta, chair of the Green League, condemned the decision as a “historic shame.” She argued that the government had deepened reliance on Israeli defense products even as demands for greater independence from Israel grew. Her comments reflect broader concerns among critics about the implications of continued military cooperation with a nation embroiled in regional conflicts. Häkkänen defended the extension as a continuation of established practices, stating it was part of implementing existing air-defense and procurement agreements. He described the renewal as “not some dramatic new policy,” emphasizing its alignment with prior commitments. As part of the renewed MoU, Finland and Israel have agreed to establish a joint coordination group to oversee their defense relations. This body will meet annually to review and advance bilateral defense ties. Recent efforts to strengthen cooperation included the May 2026 Defense Industry Seminar in Helsinki, where a delegation of thirty-two Israeli defense companies participated under the leadership of SIBAT Director Brig.-Gen. (res.) Yair Kulas. The event covered a broad range of defense technologies, with special emphasis on air defense systems and other critical military capabilities.