Prime Minister Orpo holds roundtable discussion on opportunities and challenges in defence industry
On 25 June, Prime Minister Petteri Orpo and key representatives of the defence industry met to for a roundtable discussion on the opportunities and challenges facing the defence industry in the new security policy environment.
Participants in the discussion explored ways to improve the capacity and operating conditions of the Finnish defence industry and exchanged views on defence industry financing in Finland and Europe. Increasing the capacity of the defence industry would make it possible to ramp up support to Ukraine and respond better to growing international demand.
A well-functioning and competitive industrial and technological basis for European defence is critical for the development of European defence capabilities.
“The war in Ukraine has fundamentally transformed our understanding of European security. The outlook for the defence industry has changed decisively. The Finnish defence industry is among the best on our continent, which gives us an excellent foundation for thinking big and boosting growth,” Prime Minister Petteri Orpo pointed out.
Discussions at the roundtable highlighted the Government’s investments in research, development and innovation and the role of exports and export promotion in a changed operating environment. The Government Programme pledges to take the defence industry into account in national RDI investments and trade missions.
New EU initiatives and NATO membership offer a great deal of opportunities for the Finnish defence industry, and the Government will support the industry in taking advantage of them. In a joint letter written in March 2024 at Finland’s initiative, Finland and 14 other EU Member States called on the European Investment Bank to increase its defence industry funding.
Prime Minister Orpo’s Government is working to improve the operating conditions and capacity of the defence industry in line with the Government Programme.
Inquiries: Mikko Martikkala, Special Adviser to the Prime Minister in Economic Affairs, tel. +358 295 161 171, mikko.martikkala(at)gov.fi