Ukraine, Finland Launch €300M Joint Defense Projects

Ukraine and Finland are expanding joint defense production through cooperation projects worth approximately €300 million ($336 million), covering drone manufacturing and other defense-industrial initiatives, Ukraine’s Defense Ministry said on Nov. 9.Seven documents were signed during a meeting attended by President Volodymyr Zelensky and representatives of Ukrainian and Finnish defense companies. Three of the documents concerned the defense industry.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official.The package includes €200 million ($224 million) under the Drone Deal and another €100 million ($112 million) through the Build with Ukraine initiative, the ministry said.The plans cover joint production of drones, ground robotic systems and other weapons. Ukraine will contribute technological development and battlefield experience, while Finnish companies will provide industrial manufacturing capacity.The Drone Deal is a multi-year Ukrainian initiative to export Ukrainian drone expertise and technologies to Kyiv’s allies in exchange for collaboration that includes joint production, according to Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council (RNBO).The Build with Ukraine initiative, unveiled in mid-2025, aims to scale Ukrainian production by setting up manufacturing overseas in allied countries.Zelensky previously hinted at the collaboration with Helsinki in late October.“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 on implementing the Drone Deal,” Zelensky said during his last meeting with the Finnish prime minister on Oct. 22. Other Topics of Interest Ukraine Strikes Russia’s Second-Largest Oil Refinery and Iskander Missile Fuel Plant Russia reported 113 drones over the region, while Ukraine’s General Staff confirmed damage to three production workshops at the Morozov Plant. He said Ukraine’s drone production capacity in 2026 is several times higher than the previous year and urged using that potential to increase joint production and strengthen shared security.The meeting focused on establishing direct partnerships between companies, expanding production and accelerating the development of technologies to meet the needs of the Ukrainian military.Deputy Defense Minister Anna Gvozdiar said Ukraine was ready to share its experience in testing new defense technologies under real-world conditions. She added that the projects could also draw on European Union funding.The latest agreements build on earlier cooperation between the two countries. In August, Ukrainian and Finnish defense companies signed three documents to develop and produce unmanned aerial systems, unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) and uncrewed boats.In September, the two countries signed the Drone Deal to deepen cooperation on unmanned systems and broader defense and security capabilities. They also agreed on mutual quality assurance for defense products, allowing them to bilaterally recognize inspections of orders placed with Finnish plants. Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization, reporting since 1995. Its international reach – 90% of readers are outside of Ukraine – make it truly Ukraine’s global voice.