Finland

Macron’s nuclear pact expands across Scandinavia as global forces surges

Norway is just the latest ally to open discussions with Paris about France’s extended nuclear deterrence initiative.

1:5 kill ratio: Ukraine inflicts heavy Russian losses using drones, says Finnish president

Finnish President Alexander Stubb said during his visit to Washington that Ukraine is in a much better place than it has been at any stage of the war thus far.

Finland clinches $642 million deal for 112 South Korean K9 howitzers

The government-to-government deal is expected to bring Finland's total K9 inventory to over 200 systems.

Estonia pushes for local CV90 fighting vehicle production, defense minister says

"We are ready to step into the supply line … to fill some of the gaps that Hägglunds has," Hanno Pevkur, Estonia's defense minister, told Breaking Defense.

What’s next for America’s icebreakers: 2026 preview

The White House in 2024 and 2025 prioritized rebuilding America's icebreaker fleet. But how long will that last?

To sell weapons, prove they worked in Ukraine, say military leaders from NATO border nations

Companies at AUSA would show off “a demonstrator, [and] that’s nice,” but systems operating in Ukraine are much easier for industry to demonstrate their “actual product works," said Finland's Lt. Gen. Pasi Välimäki.

Four shipyards across ICE Pact nations to jointly pursue US Arctic Security Cutter program

“Together, the four companies represent the world’s premier icebreaker shipbuilding companies,” the shipbuilders said in a joint statement.

‘What’s the signal?’: One year since ICE Pact, the agreement’s future remains unclear

Former President Joe Biden presented ICE Pact last year as a pathway to compete with Russian and Chinese icebreaker production. President Donald Trump has continued the effort, but with a twist.

Scandinavia bolsters missile and air defense to align with new NATO target

“It's more challenging to defend than to attack,” when it comes to air defense, Swedish Defense Minister Pal Jonson told Breaking Defense.

Japan Steel Works to begin local production of Patria AMV in September

Patria's wheeled vehicle was selected by Japan in 2022 to replace the Type 96 wheeled armored personnel carrier that is in service with the Japan Ground Self Defense Force (JGSDF).

Western ‘coalition of the willing’ stumbles on reassurance force troop numbers, timeline

“We are stepping up as one ready to secure Ukraine's future following any peace deal, we advance the momentum of that planning here today, planning to put Ukraine in [the] strongest possible position to protect its sovereignty and to deter any future Russian aggression," John Healey, UK defense secretary, said.

Finland pledges defense spending increase to 3 percent GDP by 2029

The new funding decision lets Finland “answer to the current security situation in Europe and the military threat posed by Russia," according to defense minister Antti Häkkänen.

Australia could get first new F-35 by 2029 if government reverses program cuts: Lockheed exec

“[C]onceivably, based on where we are buying long-lead parts for Lot 21 we could make that happen,” said J.R. McDonald, Lockheed’s vice president of business development for the F-35 program.

Coast Guard commandant praises ICE Pact’s potential, still needs icebreakers ‘now’

"There's a defense industrial base reality to this, certainly as it pertains to shipbuilding and shipyard capacity," Adm. Linda Fagan told Breaking Defense.