Finland and Ukraine sign drone production deal
Finland and Ukraine have signed a defence cooperation agreement that sets the framework for producing drones and other weapons systems in Finland, as Kyiv seeks more production capacity and Helsinki expands cooperation between the two countries’ defence industries. Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed the agreement in New York on Wednesday during the United Nations General Assembly.
The agreement covers joint production of defence equipment, transfers of technology and expertise, and industrial projects between Finnish and Ukrainian companies.
Most drones produced in Finland under future projects are expected to go to Ukraine. Stubb said during an August visit to Kyiv that about 90 per cent of drones manufactured in Finland under the planned cooperation would go to Ukraine, while the remainder would stay in Finland or go to other customers.
The agreement itself does not transfer funding. Instead, it provides a framework for companies to negotiate production projects and other contracts.
“Ukraine needs all our support in its fight,” Stubb wrote on X after the signing. He said Finland would also use lessons from Ukraine to develop its own defence capabilities.
Stubb told Finnish media in New York that the speed of implementation would depend on cooperation between Finnish and Ukrainian companies. He said some Ukrainian drone models could be produced in Finland.
The two countries had worked on the agreement for several months. Finland and other Nordic and Baltic countries had already committed in August to expanding joint defence production with Ukraine, including drones, air defence equipment, electronic warfare systems and ammunition.
Finland has also started building company-level links with Ukraine. Stubb travelled to Kyiv in August with representatives from Insta, Boomeranger, Patria, Nokia, ICEYE, Sensofusion and NestAI. Insta, Boomeranger and Patria signed letters of intent with Ukrainian partners during the visit, according to the Finnish president’s office.
The projects under discussion extend beyond aerial drones. Cooperation also covers unmanned ground vehicles and maritime systems.
Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen said the two countries’ defence ministries had negotiated the framework for months. He said it would create opportunities for Finnish defence companies and support Ukraine’s defence capacity.