Turkey and Finland signed a Defense Industry Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Monday, signaling a new chapter in bilateral relations and defense collaboration between the two NATO allies. The agreement, aimed at enhancing joint production, technology sharing, and capability development, was announced by Turkish authorities on the social media platform X.
The MoU was signed by Haluk Görgün, President of Turkey’s Defense Industry Agency (SSB), and Olli Ruutu, Finland’s Director General for Resource Policy and National Armaments Director.
Once strained by Finland’s arms embargo on Turkey—imposed between 2019 and 2023 in response to Turkey’s Operation Peace Spring in northeastern Syria—the relationship has seen a steady recovery. Helsinki lifted the embargo in early 2023, resuming defense exports in exchange for Ankara’s support for Finland’s NATO membership, which Turkey ratified in March 2023.
The thaw in relations included Finland authorizing critical defense exports to Turkey, including 12,000 tons of armor-grade steel to Turkish vehicle manufacturer BMC, and establishing clearer export licensing mechanisms. Görgün described the agreement as a strategic step not only for bilateral cooperation but for European security as a whole:
“This cooperation, which will strengthen NATO’s deterrence, is also an important step toward the integration of Europe’s defense industry,” he said on X.
The agreement leverages the complementary strengths of both nations. Finland contributes advanced manufacturing capabilities and Arctic warfare expertise, while Turkey brings experience in unmanned systems, missile technology, and battle-proven platforms. Together, they aim to strengthen NATO’s northern and southeastern defense flanks.
As part of the MoU, Finnish defense firm Patria will collaborate with Turkish companies including ASELSAN and Roketsan. One joint initiative involves integrating ASELSAN’s remote-controlled weapon stations into Patria’s 6×6 and 8×8 armored vehicles, with plans to export to markets in South America and the Middle East.
Finland, which allocated 2.5 percent of its GDP to defense in 2025, has become one of NATO’s top contributors by spending share. Its 2025 defense budget includes €1.9 billion ($2.07 billion) for the acquisition of F-35A fighter jets and €156 million ($170 million) dedicated to NATO interoperability initiatives. Finnish defense exports reached a two-decade high of €333 million in 2023, while military export licenses totaled €667 million.
Meanwhile, Turkey continues to expand its global defense footprint, with its companies active across Central Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. Through cooperation with Finnish firms, Turkish manufacturers may gain improved access to European and Nordic markets, while Finland can tap into Turkey’s long-established networks in emerging regions.
With 40–60 percent of Finland’s defense output destined for export—particularly in communications, armored systems, and Arctic technologies—the agreement is also expected to contribute to broader European Union efforts to reduce reliance on non-European defense suppliers.
Despite challenges related to export coordination and supply chains, both sides see the MoU as a strategic opportunity. For NATO, it marks another step toward building a more integrated and interoperable European defense architecture.
