Finland explains why it will not withdraw arms contracts with Israel

Finnish Defence Minister Antti Hakkanen said that cancelling orders for military equipment from Israel or suspending the implementation of already concluded contracts could lead to "significant risks for Finland's defence."

The head of the Finnish Ministry of Defence answered questions from MPs about further cooperation with Israel in the field of defence in the face of the country's military operations in the Gaza Strip.

In recent years, including before the war in the enclave, Finland has ordered, among other things, the so-called David's Sling . This is an anti-missile defense system developed by the Israeli company Rafael and the American company Raytheon. According to the Finnish military command, this weapon, estimated to cost over €300 million, will "significantly improve" the Finnish military's defense capabilities against high-altitude air targets.

“The war in Ukraine shows that such a system, critical for defense, is also needed in Finland,” argued the Ministry of Defense in Helsinki.

Hakkanen emphasized that the Israeli arms industry was not subject to international sanctions. He also recalled that all significant decisions regarding public procurement for the Finnish Armed Forces from Israeli suppliers were made before October 2023, when the war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip began.

Finland's other key arms projects also include acquiring anti-tank and anti-aircraft missiles, radars, and drones from Israel. The Minister of Defense noted that the potential acquisition of replacement equipment and weapons in the current security environment would disrupt the armed forces' schedules and planning due to the current limited supply of arms and the competition between individual countries for orders and supplies.

From Helsinki Przemysław Molik (PAP)

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