Finland approves defence budget, awaits first F-35s this autumn

The Finnish government has approved a draft budget for 2027 allocating a total of €7 billion for defence, including purchases of F-35s, the first batch of which will be delivered this autumn, the Ministry of Defence has announced.

The ministry said this was approximately €600 million more than the 2026 budget, Caliber.Az reports, citing Russian media.

“Defence spending will account for 2.6% of projected gross domestic product in 2027,” it noted.

Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen made clear that the draft budget provides for steps toward a new level of defence in line with the requirements of the current security environment.

“The procurement of new fighter jets (F-35s from the US — IF) is proceeding as planned, and the first aircraft will be delivered to Finland this autumn. €1.3 billion is allocated for the procurement of military equipment, with the largest share going toward domestic explosives production,” he stressed.

In his words, under this budget, Finland is also investing in counter-drone capabilities, the mobility of the ground forces and command-and-control systems.

“It is important that our proposal to expand the western railway gauge and other key military mobility infrastructure has been approved. These improvements are necessary to ensure the collective defense of the entire NATO northern flank,” the defence minister added.

The government also allocated €200 million to support Ukraine in 2027. The Finnish Ministry of Defense is holding talks with its Ukrainian counterpart on cooperation in drone production.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov