Finland's Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen signed 12 agreements at the NATO Summit Defence Industry Forum in Ankara on July 7, 2026, significantly boosting the nation's defense capabilities and strengthening NATO's collective security. These initiatives aim to enhance deterrence and defense across multiple domains.
Among the key announcements was a multinational joint procurement for up to 10 Saab GlobalEye aircraft to replace NATO's manned surveillance fleet. Finland also signed a letter of intent to acquire the same capability for its national needs, integrating it with NATO's assets. Additionally, an agreement was made to expand NATO's intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities through the procurement of MQ-4C Triton unmanned aircraft systems.
Minister Häkkänen further committed Finland to several NATO High Visibility Projects (HVPs), including the Multi Role Tanker Transport Capability (MRTT-C). This project will provide a fleet of multi-function aircraft capable of strategic airlift, medical evacuation, and air-to-air refueling, a new capability for Finland. Other HVPs Finland joined focus on air defense, space technologies, and defense critical raw materials.
"Finland is actively involved in capability development within NATO," Minister Häkkänen said. "The agreements signed at the Defence Industry Forum are concrete examples of NATO’s 360-degree approach whereby the Alliance prepares for threats and strengthens its defence across all domains. It is important for Finland that we invest in space technologies, air defence and the Arctic." Finland also signed statements of intent with the United States on strengthening defense industry capacity and exploring industrial cooperation on missiles.