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5.3.2026 | The Finnish Government has appointed Otto Saxén, M.Soc.Sc., as Director General of the Defence Policy Department at the Ministry of Defence for a five-year term from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2031.

22.12.2025 | ​​​​​​​On 22 December 2022, the President of the Republic approved the legislative amendment to raise the maximum age of reservists to 65 years.

22.12.2025 | The timing and content of health checks at child health clinics and schools, and in student healthcare and oral healthcare will be regulated in future by government decree. Upper secondary level student health checks and preliminary health examinations for compulsory military service will be combined, and an electronic health questionnaire will be introduced.

18.11.2025 | Permanent representatives of NATO member states will visit Rovaniemi and Rovajärvi in Finland on 20–21 November. Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen will take part in the program on Thursday and Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen on Friday.

29.10.2025 | As part of the lecture series "Raffles lecture" at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) in Singapore Minister Elina Valtonen delivered the following speech on 28th October 2025.

19.12.2024 | The budget of the Ministry of Defence’s administrative branch for 2025 amounts to EUR 6.5 billion, an increase of EUR 536 million when compared to this year. The defence appropriations will continue to strengthen defence capabilities and support Finland’s operations as a NATO member. The budget expenditure categorised as defence expenditure is estimated to be approximately 2.5 per cent of the projected gross domestic product for 2025.

26.11.2021 | The Parliamentary Committee submitted its report on 26 November 2021 and proposes extending the call-up system to the entire age group. The Committee has set the goal of organising a compulsory call-up day for both women and men. This would provide young people with more extensive knowledge and readiness to fulfil national defence obligation.

11.9.2024 | Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen's speech at the Seoul Defense Dialogue on 11 September 2024 Publication date 11.9.2024 11.22 Type: Speech It is a great honour and my pleasure to address today the 2024 Seoul Defence Dialogue and discuss the mult...

19.5.2025 | Prime Minister Petteri Orpo gave a speech at the Finland in NATO – Two Years in the Alliance event at Finlandia Hall. Speech to be checked against delivery.

8.5.2025 | Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen's speech at the NATO Nuclear Policy Symposium on 29 April 2025 Publication date 8.5.2025 11.50 | Published in English on 31.10.2025 at 15.24 Type: Speech Distinguished guests, experts and friends of nuclear polic...

31.1.2024 | Call-up working group proposes joint defence day and advance health checks for entire age group Ministry of Defence Publication date 31.1.2024 10.00 Type: Press release The working group, appointed by the Ministry of Defence to develop call-ups, p...

14.12.2023 | Shared accommodation to be permanent practice from beginning of next year Ministry of Defence Publication date 14.12.2023 15.09 Type: Press release On 14 December 2023, the Government issued a new decree amending the Act on Voluntary Military Serv...

29.9.2023 | Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen's speech at the Helsinki Security Forum 29.9.2023 Publication date 29.9.2023 12.00 Type: Speech Distinguished ministerial colleagues, ladies and gentlemen, The global security situation has changed. Tensions are ...

26.11.2021 | Minister of Defence: Legislative amendments unnecessary for many measures to develop military service Ministry of Defence Ministry of Defence Publication date 26.11.2021 14.32 Type: Press release Minister of Defence Antti Kaikkonen considers the d...

18.3.2021 | This year marks the seventh anniversary of the illegal annexation of Crimea by Russia. The matter is a serious violation of international law, the Charter of the United Nations and Ukraine’s territorial integrity.

7.9.2022 | Minister of Defence Antti Kaikkonen's speech at Finnish-Swedish Defence Industry Seminar in Helsinki Publication date 7.9.2022 10.07 Type: Speech Dear colleagues, madam Ambassador, representatives of industry, It is a great honor for me to bring y...

11.6.2019 | (Check against delivery)

13.12.2023 | Daily allowances for conscripts, women performing military service and reservists to be increased Ministry of Defence Publication date 13.12.2023 10.43 Type: Press release Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen has decided on the increase in daily all...

25.8.2025 | Speech by Prime Minister Petteri Orpo at the Annual Meeting of Heads of Mission in Helsinki on 25 August 2025. Speech to be checked against delivery.

5.7.2023 | Laura Rissanen is to serve as State Secretary to Minister of Social Security Sanni Grahn-Laasonen. The minister has invited Sakari Rokkanen and Niilo Heinonen to serve as special assistants.