Finland removes legal obstacles and enables nuclear cooperation

The proposal stipulates that Finland would be allowed to permit the transport, storage, and potential use of nuclear devices as part of defensive operations—both national and allied. However, this change does not imply consent to develop Finland’s own nuclear weapons. On the contrary, Finnish authorities emphasise that the production, development, or acquisition of such technologies will remain criminal offenses. Strict penalties for terrorist activities involving nuclear weapons will also be maintained.

The reform project is part of Prime Minister Petteri Orpo’s government program, which seeks to fully align the country with NATO’s operational standards and mechanisms. In practice, this would enable Finland to take an active role in the Alliance’s nuclear deterrence strategy. As Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen noted, the changes are intended to enhance national security in an increasingly unpredictable international environment and raise the threshold for potential aggression against Finland and its allies.

The Finnish government also stresses that the new regulations will remain consistent with the country’s international commitments, including the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). Finland therefore does not intend to build its own nuclear arsenal but rather to establish a legal framework that allows full participation in NATO’s defence activities.

The proposed amendments are expected to take effect as soon as possible once approved by parliament. This would place Finland among the majority of NATO member states that do not legally restrict participation in the Alliance’s nuclear deterrence strategy. The reform clearly demonstrates that Helsinki is steadily strengthening its ties with NATO by adapting its legislation to the new security realities in Europe.