Major Defence Industry Day 2026 brought together representatives from the defence sector, public authorities, industry and the wider business community to discuss how Finland and Europe can strengthen security in an increasingly complex global environment. A central message throughout the event was that the shift in the security landscape is both profound and long-term. Geopolitical tensions, the war in Ukraine, hybrid threats, cyber influence operations and risks targeting critical infrastructure together form a challenge that requires foresight, agility and broad-based cooperation.
Security can no longer be understood solely in terms of military threats. Increasingly, it is seen as a layered and difficult-to-predict whole. The geopolitical transition, intensifying great-power competition and growing instability in the international environment are having a direct impact on Finland as well. One of the key messages of the event was that security cannot be built only in times of crisis; it must be strengthened proactively and over the long term.
One of the strongest themes of the day was that in Finland, security is built as a broad societal whole from the outset. Finland’s model of comprehensive security was presented as an exceptional strength, also in international terms. It is based on close cooperation between public authorities, businesses and other actors across society, underpinned by a high level of trust and shared responsibility. This collaborative approach is what makes Finland resilient — able to withstand disruptions, adapt to change and maintain functionality even under exceptional circumstances. Security of supply also featured prominently in the discussions. For Finland, it is both a strategic strength and a critical area for continued development. Finland’s geographic location, its reliance on maritime transport and the importance of the Baltic Sea as a logistical lifeline all underline how essential functioning transport routes, supply chains and industrial capacity are to national security. Security of supply is not only about stockpiles or backup systems; it is about ensuring the continuity of society under all circumstances. The discussions also emphasised the importance of northern connections and the growing link between security of supply, industrial competitiveness, infrastructure and international partnerships.
The event also underlined that today’s threats are increasingly difficult to detect and often span multiple domains. Security is no longer limited to military defence alone; it also encompasses cyber security, disinformation, hybrid influence, technological dependencies and internal societal stability. Responding to these less visible threats calls for new ways of thinking, stronger anticipation and the ability to combine civilian and defence expertise. Finland’s strengths were seen not only in its high level of preparedness, but also in the fact that companies understand their role as part of national security.
NATO’s role was discussed as part of a broader shift in which Europe must take greater responsibility for its own security. Finland’s NATO membership has opened a new operating environment, but the event also made it clear that membership does not reduce the importance of national defence capability — quite the opposite. Finland is seen within the alliance as a provider of security, with strengths including its own defence capability, operational reliability and high resilience. At the same time, the need to strengthen Europe’s deterrence, accelerate decision-making and deepen cooperation among allies was strongly emphasised.
Another key theme was the need to expand both the European and Finnish defence industry. Strengthening security cannot happen without investment, but the discussions highlighted that, beyond funding, what is needed above all is sustained demand, more streamlined regulation, faster procurement and permit processes, and stronger production and supply chains. The defence industry was seen not only as essential to security, but also as a significant driver of growth, exports and technological development — an area in which Finnish expertise has much to offer. Particular emphasis was placed on the importance of bringing civilian technologies into defence use more quickly and of building more strategic partnerships across Europe. The event showed that Finnish expertise and technology have a strong role to play in shaping the security solutions of the future. Major Defence Industry Day 2026 demonstrated that Finland’s strength is not based solely on individual capabilities, but on a broader way of thinking about security. Comprehensive security, security of supply, trust and cooperation form a model that is attracting international interest as well. At the same time, the event made it clear that in a changing world, security is increasingly intertwined with the economy, technology, industry and the ability to act together — quickly, proactively and sustainably.
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