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Israeli defense firms, including Elbit, Israel Aerospace Industries and Rafael, have established growing partnerships with Finnish companies.
By Shula Rosen
Finland hosted a large Israeli defense industry delegation in Helsinki for the second Finnish-Israeli Defense Industry Seminar, as the two countries moved to expand military procurement and deepen defense cooperation despite political tensions surrounding the Gaza war.
The delegation was led by SIBAT Director Brig. Gen. (Res.) Yair Kulas and included representatives from 32 Israeli defense companies, along with seven defense technology startups participating for the first time.
Israeli and Finnish companies held meetings focused on expanding cooperation and promoting combat-proven defense technologies.
The visit took place despite Finland’s political positions during the Gaza war, including siding with Palestinians and boycotting Eurovision over Israel’s participation in the contest.
Finland has continued strengthening defense ties with Israel following its 2023 decision to purchase the David’s Sling air defense system in a deal valued at 1.3 billion shekels.
Israeli defense firms, including Elbit, Israel Aerospace Industries and Rafael, have established growing partnerships with Finnish companies such as Nammo, Millog and Insta.
Finnish officials have increasingly emphasized defense procurement and military preparedness since the country joined NATO and as security concerns linked to its long border with Russia have intensified.
Israeli defense systems and technologies have become a significant part of Finland’s procurement strategy, with purchases from Israeli defense industries totaling hundreds of millions of dollars annually.
The Helsinki seminar centered on expanding long-term industrial cooperation between the countries’ defense sectors and increasing opportunities for future procurement deals.
Israeli officials promoted the operational experience of their systems and technologies during meetings with Finnish counterparts and industry representatives.
The growing defense relationship has continued despite political disagreements in other areas.
A recent initiative in Finland aimed at restricting arms trade with Israel was struck down, allowing procurement decisions involving Israeli defense companies to continue based on performance and supply security considerations rather than broader political disputes.
The seminar reflected continuing strategic and commercial ties between the Israeli and Finnish defense sectors as both sides seek to expand cooperation in air defense, military technology and security systems.
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