Finland eyes defense-spending boost well past NATO mark
Finland’s conservative-led government has unveiled a broad plan to lift defense spending from $6.8 billion in 2025 to $11.5 billion in 2032.
The government’s proposal, which has gained the majority support of the main opposition parties in the Eduskunta, the parliament here, would reposition Finland’s annual spending on defense closer to 3.3% of GDP, placing it well above NATO’s 2% guideline.
Schweden hat ein mechanisiertes Bataillon nach Lettland verlegt:
Historic Swedish Force deployed in Latvia
In the early hours of Saturday, January 18th, the ship carrying large parts of the Swedish battalion arrived at the port in Riga, escorted by the Swedish Air Force and units from Swedish Navy. This marks Sweden’s largest commitment since joining NATO – participation in NATO Multinational Brigade Latvia as a part of the Multinational Division North.
The Swedish contribution consists of the 71st Battalion from Södra skånska regementet P 7. The battalion will be stationed outside the town of Adazì.
The Swedish battalion will be deployed in Latvia for approximately six months. After those six months, the Swedish force will rotate home and be replaced by a Danish force.
Russland sieht finnische Atomwaffenpläne als Bedrohung
Die Führung in Moskau hat die Pläne Finnlands zur Aufhebung der Beschränkungen für Atomwaffen auf seinem Staatsgebiet als Bedrohung für Russland eingestuft und mit Konsequenzen gedroht.
„Durch die Stationierung von Atomwaffen auf seinem Territorium beginnt Finnland, uns zu bedrohen“, sagte Kreml-Sprecher Dmitri Peskow heute vor Journalisten. „Wenn Finnland uns bedroht, werden wir geeignete Maßnahmen ergreifen.“
Finnish Government proposes to amend Nuclear Energy Act and Criminal Code to strengthen NATO’s deterrence and defence
Finland’s Ministry of Defence will circulate for comments a draft government proposal to amend the Nuclear Energy Act and the Criminal Code.
The objective is to remove legal barriers to enable Finland’s homeland defence as part of the Alliance and the full utilisation of NATO’s deterrence and defence.
The current legislation bans all import of nuclear devices into Finland and the transport, supply and possession of them in Finland. The draft proposal would allow the import of nuclear devices into Finland or their transport, supply or possession in Finland in the context of Finland’s homeland defence, NATO’s collective defence or defence cooperation.
Most NATO member states have no legal barriers to the full execution of NATO’s deterrence and defence. The draft proposal would make Finnish legislation compatible with NATO’s functions. The proposed amendment is part of the legislative reforms the Programme of Prime Minister Orpo’s Government outlines as necessary for Finland’s integration with NATO.
The amendment is proposed in order to maximise Finland’s security in an unpredictable operating environment. Its purpose is to ensure that all elements of NATO’s deterrence are credible and that the threshold of military action against Finland and the Alliance remains as high as possible. The amendment would strengthen deterrence, and its purpose is to prevent the use of military force against Finland and the Alliance.
Finland must contribute to the sustainment and development of NATO’s defence capability and, where necessary, to the full execution of NATO’s collective defence. The legislative amendment would enable not only NATO’s activities but also bilateral and multilateral cooperation. It would bring Finland’s contribution to NATO’s nuclear deterrence on a par with our closest allies.
According to NATO’s Strategic Concept, the fundamental purpose of NATO’s nuclear capability is to preserve peace, prevent coercion and deter aggression. As long as nuclear weapons exist, NATO will remain a nuclear alliance.
