Finland will deliver more defence materiel to Ukraine. The President of Republic Finland decided on the matter on 23 March 2023 on the proposal of the Government. As part of international cooperation on Leopard 2 tanks, Finland will hand over three Leopard 2 armoured mine-clearing vehicles to Ukraine, including training related to their use and maintenance. In an earlier package, Finland also delivered three Leopard 2 armoured mine-clearing vehicles, which means that the number of these vehicles sent to Ukraine is now six. The package also contains heavy weapons and munitions. The combined value of all defence materiel packages submitted so far is about EUR 910 million.
This will be the 14th package of defence materiel to be delivered to Ukraine. It is estimated that to replace the defence materiel capabilities in this package will cost Finland EUR 161 million. For Ukraine, all materiel aid is vital in defending the country. For operational reasons and to ensure that the delivery reaches its destination, more detailed information on the content of the assistance, manner of delivery or schedule will not be provided. Both Ukraine’s needs and the resources of the Defence Forces have been taken into account when deciding on the additional assistance.
Finland Ministry of Defence will deliver another package of defence materiel to Ukraine. The president of the Republic of Finland decided on the matter on 23 February 2023 on the proposal of the Government. For operational reasons and to ensure that the delivery reaches its destination, more detailed information on the content of the assistance, manner of delivery or schedule will not be provided. The total value of this aid package is over EUR 160 million. The combined value of all defence materiel packages submitted so far is now EUR 750 million. Both Ukraine’s needs and the resources of the Defence Forces have been taken into account when deciding on the additional assistance.
Parts of the current Finnish defence materiel package to Ukraine is possible thanks to closer bilateral cooperation between Finland and Sweden; Finland supplies defence materiel to Ukraine, and Sweden expresses its readiness to support Finland as necessary. The defence forces of Finland and Sweden will review and, if necessary, update their operational plans. Their defence administrations have examined the support to Ukraine with necessary defence materiel to make sure that this would not endanger the national defence of the two countries. The joint support to Ukraine is a sign of deep mutual trust and increasingly close defence cooperation between Finland and Sweden.