The Nordic countries have been working on common defence initiatives for many years now. The recent agreement sets the framework for the development and improvement of the procurement procedures, especially in the areas of cost-efficiency, security of delivery and commensurate materiel call for improved and upgraded procedures, and the implementation of joint procurement as well.

The agreement does not bind its members to cooperate in common procurement projects but rather sets the framework and procedures of their possible joint initiatives.

A month earlier, the Finnish Government adopted a resolution on “Securing the Finnish Defence Technological and Industrial Base”.The document sets the technological and industrial capacity, and competency for establishing and maintaining critical defence capabilities.

Finland and Sweden have decided not to be part of NATO, contrary to Denmark and Norway, which are members since 1949. This lack of external balancing through membership at the Alliance due to military non-alignment and the transformation in Russia’s foreign policy, has led the Finnish Government to seek ways to build new capabilities, while safeguarding its current defence industrial and technological know-how, as well the unhindered supply of raw material and goods.