Finland, Israel quietly extend defense agreement for 10 years

Finland and Israel have quietly extended a defense cooperation memorandum of understanding (MoU) for 10 years, lasting until 2034. The agreement, approved by Finnish Defense Minister Antti Häkkänen in early 2024, includes research and development, cooperation, and procurement of defense equipment. This extension, which was not publicly announced until a report by Finland's YLE, has faced strong criticism from the Finnish opposition due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Israel's Defense Ministry Director General, Maj.-Gen. (res.) Amir Baram, accepted the extension, stating, "We appreciate our fruitful cooperation and wish for mutual projects and activities."

• Finnish defense purchases from Israel have grown to hundreds of millions of dollars annually, including the David's Sling air defense system (€316 million) and Spike anti-tank missiles (€213 million).
• The MoU likely solidified during Finnish Defense Forces Commander General Janne Jaakkola's visit to Israel in August, where discussions focused on a multi-layered air defense system.
• A joint coordination group will meet annually, and a recent seminar in Helsinki saw 32 Israeli defense companies, including major firms like Israel Aerospace Industries and Rafael, engage with Finnish counterparts, focusing on air defense and counter-UAS technology.
• Finland views this cooperation as a gateway to NATO and the broader European defense market, particularly given its recent NATO membership and shared border with Russia.