Already a subscriber? Make sure to log into your account before viewing this content. You can access your account by hitting the “login” button on the top right corner. Still unable to see the content after signing in? Make sure your card on file is up-to-date.

Finland has committed to investing over $130 million in the next three to four years to double its artillery and mortar ammunition production.

This announcement was made by Finnish Defense Minister Antti Häkkänen, emphasizing Finland’s response to the need for increased ammunition supplies to Ukraine amid slow progress from the European Union.

Frans Peltonen, a senior specialist at the Finnish Defense Ministry’s materiel unit, explained that the investment targets “heavy ammunition,” including 155mm artillery shells and 81mm and 120mm mortar rounds. “This includes investments in the manufacturing of charges, propellants, and explosive filling capacity – investments are expected to be completed between 2026-2027,” Peltonen stated. However, specific production targets remain confidential, in line with government policy.

Peltonen emphasized that Finland’s move to boost shell manufacturing is a long-term commitment to enhance military aid to Ukraine, saying, “This is a long-term commitment to increase our heavy ammunition production, which enables Finland to continue and increase its military aid to Ukraine in the future.”

The ammunition production ramp-up will likely involve the Nammo group, a Norwegian-Finnish company, and a critical European ammunition manufacturer. In April, Nammo announced plans to increase its production rate to 200,000 artillery shells annually by 2028, a response to the significant ammunition needs of Ukrainian forces.