News
The article is more than 2 years old

Finland sending more defence aid to Ukraine

The Finnish Defence Forces has also received approval to purchase a fleet of heavy vehicles and related equipment.

Sanna Marin ja Sauli Niinistö tiedotustilaisuudessa.
Upon the request of Prime Minister Sanna Marin, President Sauli Niinistö (on right) decided that Finland should send more defence equipment aid to Ukraine. File photo from May 2022. Image: Petteri Sopanen / Yle
  • Yle News

Finland is sending additional defence equipment to Ukraine, the Ministry of Defence announced on Friday.

The ministry said in a statement that upon the request of Prime Minister Sanna Marin (SDP), President Sauli Niinistö decided that Finland should send more defence equipment aid to Ukraine, which has been under attack by Russia since the end of February.

As Finland has done in previous announcements about defence shipments to Ukraine, the ministry said it would not reveal details about the contents of the shipment, the method of delivery nor when the aid would be sent, in order to ensure its safe arrival.

Since Russia's invasion, Ukraine has asked for military materiel assistance from the EU as well as Nato member states.

FDF getting new heavy vehicles

Meanwhile, the defence ministry announced on Thursday that it has given the go ahead for the Finnish Defence Forces (FDF) to purchase a fleet of heavy vehicles and related equipment.

The order, to be acquired from firms Veho and Scania Suomi during 2022-2025, includes 155 Mercedes-Benz heavy trucks and gun carriages made by Siimet. The procurement also includes an option for a total of 151 vehicles.

The ministry said that the procurement will help to guarantee the transportation needs for various military projects and troop units.

The total value of the procurement, excluding VAT and including the optional acquisition, is approximately 67.5 million euros, the ministry said in a statement.