Finland has extended a memorandum of understanding on defense cooperation with Israel for another decade. Under the new agreement, cooperation between the two countries will continue in defense research and development, mutual cooperation, and defense equipment procurement.
Finland’s state broadcaster YLE reported that despite intense criticism over the ongoing war in Gaza, the country’s then-defense minister, Antti Häkkänen, approved extending the memorandum in early 2024. The agreement, valid through 2034, was not made public before YLE’s report.
According to the report, the defense cooperation memorandum between Finland and Israel was first drawn up in 2013. As its expiration approached, Helsinki proposed renewing the agreement with Israel in early 2024.
The previous agreement had a five-year term. This time, however, Finland proposed extending it for 10 years. Israeli Defense Ministry Director General, retired Major General Amir Baram, agreed to the extension.
In a letter sent to YLE, Israel’s Defense Ministry said: “On behalf of Israel’s Ministry of Defense, I am accepting the extension of the memorandum of understanding by a further 10 years, in the manner proposed by Finland. We are grateful for our productive cooperation and look forward to continuing our mutual projects and activities.”
Several major Israeli defense companies already have partner firms in Finland. These companies also maintain significant cooperation with various local Finnish institutions.
According to defense and technology outlet Defense and Tech, Finland’s purchases from the Israeli defense industry amounted to just a few million dollars a few years ago. That figure has now reached several hundred million dollars a year and continues to rise.
The largest single defense equipment purchase agreement between the two countries was the David’s Sling air defense system. Finland bought it for €316 million in 2023.
Before that, in 2022, Israeli firm Rafael supplied Spike anti-tank missiles to the Finnish army. That deal was worth €213 million.
The third-largest purchase was the Gabriel anti-ship missile for Finland’s navy, bought for €162 million in 2018. Roughly 20 defense projects are currently under way between Finland and Israel.
The agreement to extend the memorandum was likely signed during a visit to Israel by Finnish Defense Forces Commander General Janne Jaakkola. He visited Israel from August 3 to 6.
According to a press release from Finland’s armed forces, during the visit, Jaakkola and his Israeli counterparts discussed the changed security situation and multilayered air defense systems.