Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky held a meeting with a Finnish delegation that included representatives of Finnish and Ukrainian defence companies. The parties discussed opportunities to expand defence-industrial cooperation, launch joint manufacturing projects and strengthen technological partnerships.
Seven documents were signed during the meeting, including three in the defence industry. The total value of the new cooperation package is approximately €300 million, including €200 million under the Drone Deal initiative and €100 million under Build with Ukraine.
Representatives of Ukraine's Ministry of Defence also attended the meeting, including Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Hvozdiar and Deputy Defence Minister for European Integration Serhii Boiev. Discussions focused on developing direct partnerships between companies from both countries, scaling up production and introducing new technological solutions to meet the needs of Ukraine's Defence Forces.
Ukraine and Finland are developing a defence-industrial partnership that combines Ukrainian technological innovations and combat experience with the industrial capabilities of Finnish companies. Promising areas of cooperation include the production of unmanned systems, robotic platforms and other modern weapons.
"Finland is a very important partner for us, and we are grateful for your support. We have agreements worth €300 million and are actively working to implement the Drone Deal. Our drone production capacity is several times greater than last year. Let us use this potential to increase joint production and strengthen our shared security," said Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine
Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo reaffirmed Finland's commitment to providing military and economic support to Ukraine and developing cooperation between businesses in the two countries.
"This year, we have provided Ukraine with five defence assistance packages worth more than half a billion euros in total, and we are preparing another. We are also supplying Ukraine with ten locomotives, allocating €5 million to the Ukraine Energy Support Fund and preparing deliveries of mobile heating units. At the same time, we are developing cooperation between Ukrainian and Finnish companies, which is already delivering tangible results, " said Petteri Orpo, Prime Minister of Finland
The foundations for further cooperation have already been established. In August 2026, Ukrainian and Finnish defence companies signed three documents covering the development and production of unmanned aerial systems, unmanned ground vehicles and unmanned surface vessels. The latest meeting provided an opportunity to discuss further progress in these and other promising areas of cooperation.
Participants discussed practical mechanisms for implementing joint projects, strengthening industrial cooperation and expanding direct contacts between companies. Particular attention was given to opportunities to accelerate the development and deployment of new technological solutions tailored to the needs of Ukrainian military personnel.
"We are constantly looking for new opportunities to develop joint production with international partners, including Finnish companies. To implement such projects, we can attract not only resources from our partners but also European Union funding. Ukraine is also ready to share its experience of testing new defence technologies under real-world conditions. This gives our partners an opportunity to improve their own developments and work with us to create new solutions, " said Hanna Hvozdiar, Deputy Minister of Defence of Ukraine
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Cooperation in unmanned technologies is a key area of the bilateral partnership. In September 2026, Ukraine and Finland signed the Drone Deal, an agreement aimed at expanding cooperation in the production of unmanned systems. These arrangements create additional opportunities for Finnish companies to participate in joint defence projects.
Ukraine's Ministry of Defence continues working to create favourable conditions for international industrial cooperation, attract investment and scale up production. Developing partnerships with Finnish companies will help strengthen Ukraine's defence industry, meet the needs of its Defence Forces and enhance Europe's defence capabilities.
