Ukrainian and Finnish companies have signed agreements to develop and manufacture drones in Finland for the needs of Ukraine and Europe, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced.
The agreements were finalized during a defense industry roundtable meeting in Kyiv attended by Zelenskyy and Finnish President Alexander Stubb. Writing on Telegram on August 23, 2026, Zelenskyy described the deals as a key step toward deepening bilateral cooperation by combining Ukrainian combat experience with Finnish technical expertise.
The signed documents establish three primary areas of industrial cooperation: joint drone development and manufacturing in Finland, the expansion of capabilities in uncrewed maritime systems, and the creation of a joint enterprise to produce ground robotic systems.
Uncrewed aerial vehicles, maritime drones, and ground robotic systems have become critical components of modern defense strategy, providing frontline intelligence, reconnaissance, and strike capabilities.
Defense Companies Sign Agreements in Kyiv
Stubb stated that seven Finnish defense companies had accompanied him on his official delegation to the Ukrainian capital. Among them, defense technology firms Insta, Boomeranger, and Patria signed formal cooperation agreements with their Ukrainian counterparts, establishing joint initiatives across land, sea, and air defense sectors.
The Finnish president noted that the collaboration would deliver mutual strategic and economic benefits for both Finland and Ukraine. Stubb did not disclose further specific details regarding the financial scope or production schedules of the signed contracts.
Patria is a Nordic defense contractor specializing in armored combat vehicles, defensive systems, and aviation support. Insta supplies defense electronics and secure communications infrastructure, while Boomeranger manufactures high-speed marine craft and rigid inflatable boats utilized by naval and military security forces.
The signing took place during broader regional diplomatic engagements in Kyiv, with leaders from neighboring Baltic states, including Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs and Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal, participating in bilateral defense discussions.
Finnish Military Aid to Ukraine
Finland has provided political, military, and humanitarian support to Kyiv throughout the war. According to figures released by the Finnish Ministry of Defense, Helsinki has delivered 33 military support packages to Ukraine, with total defense assistance exceeding 3.4 billion euros.
In February 2025, the Finnish Ministry of Defense launched a support program to order defense equipment directly from Finnish military manufacturers for delivery to Ukrainian forces. Finland, which shares a 1,340-kilometer border with Russia, has progressively scaled up its domestic defense industrial production and regional military integration since joining NATO in April 2023.
