A parliamentary working group in Finland has proposed a major increase in national defense spending, citing long-term security risks linked to neighboring Russia and shifting global security dynamics.
The proposal recommends raising defense expenditure from €7.7 billion ($8.9 billion) this year to over €14 billion ($16.3 billion) by 2029, with sustained annual spending at similar levels through at least 2036. The plan was presented to Defense Minister Antti Häkkänen and reported by public broadcaster YLE.
Lawmakers emphasized that Russia remains a persistent and unpredictable security challenge for both Finland and NATO. The report argues that maintaining credible defense capabilities will require long-term investment that extends across multiple government terms.
Finland, which shares NATO’s longest border with Russia at 1,340 kilometers, has historically viewed its eastern frontier as strategically sensitive, shaped in part by its wartime history with the Soviet Union.
The working group also highlighted emerging security concerns, including evolving warfare technologies and changing burden-sharing expectations within NATO. It noted that planned defense investments would exceed NATO’s recommended spending benchmarks.
Defense Minister Häkkänen welcomed the report, stating that there is broad political consensus on strengthening Finland’s defense posture and ensuring continuity in security planning.
However, the opposition Left Alliance raised concerns, particularly regarding uncertainties over the long-term reliability of United States commitment to NATO and the financial burden of increased military spending. The party called for broader public debate on funding strategies and defense priorities.
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