Collective defence of North Atlantic Treaty Organization to become statutory duty of Finnish Defence Forces
At its session on 20 February 2025, the Finnish Government approved the government proposal for amending the Act on the Defence Forces based on Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen's presentation. The Finnish Defence Forces would be given a new statutory duty, the collective defence of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
"Our proposal promotes the implementation of NATO's collective defence. We will add the collective defence of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization as a statutory duty of the Finnish Defence Forces. We will improve the Defence Forces' ability to receive international assistance and execute relevant exercises. We will also strengthen our military security of supply by promoting logistics for international forces," said Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen.
"Despite the security-political turbulence of recent days, NATO will remain a key player in European defence. For Finland, the Alliance will become even more important," Minister Häkkänen said.
As a new statutory duty of the Finnish Defence Forces, the collective defence of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization would mean that the Defence Forces would participate, under the lead of the Ministry of Defence, in NATO's processes for defence planning and operations planning and contribute to related command and control arrangements, exercises and operational activities. Participation in NATO's operational activities is part of Allies' normal and regular efforts for collective defence.
The proposal aims to improve the Finnish Defence Forces' ability to receive international assistance and execute relevant exercises as part of the implementation of the collective defence of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. It would allow the temporary use of property for the purpose of defence cooperation and the collective defence of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. It would also allow the protection of foreign forces and their special property.
Amendments to the Act on Military Vehicles and the Road Traffic Act would facilitate logistics for international forces. This would improve the conditions for international cooperation in Finland.
The international exchange of military intelligence would be extended to apply directly to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the European Union. This would mean enhancing the capabilities of military intelligence and improving cooperation between partners.
The government proposal also includes a set of technical amendments.
Inquiries: Hanna Nordström, Director of Legal Affairs, Ministry of Defence, tel. +358 295 140 600, hanna.nyholm(at)gov.fi, and Kosti Honkanen, Senior Specialist for Legal Affairs, tel. +358 295 140 607, kosti.honkanen(at)gov.fi