Finland has proposed sweeping legal changes that would allow the import, transport, and storage of nuclear weapons, marking a significant shift in its defense policy following its accession to NATO.
The proposal, submitted by the government to parliament, includes amendments to the country’s Atomic Energy Act and criminal code. These changes would remove longstanding legal restrictions on nuclear-related activities within Finnish territory.
Defense Minister Antti Häkkänen said the initiative is aimed at strengthening national security in an increasingly unpredictable environment.
“The proposal seeks to maximize Finland’s security in a changing operational landscape. By removing legal barriers on nuclear-related equipment, we can strengthen deterrence and raise the threshold for the use of military force against Finland and the Alliance,” Häkkänen stated.
According to officials, the reforms would enhance Finland’s defense capabilities and enable fuller participation in NATO’s collective defense mechanisms. The changes would also allow NATO aircraft carrying nuclear weapons to operate in Finnish airspace and permit related military transit through the country.
Finland’s current legislation, dating back to the 1980s, strictly prohibits any activities involving nuclear weapons—reflecting its historical efforts to avoid entanglement in Cold War nuclear tensions with the Soviet Union.
However, since joining NATO, these restrictions have complicated joint military planning and exercises with allies, prompting calls for reform to better align with alliance requirements.
