The lifting of the nuclear arms ban marks a major change in Helsinki's security stance as the country strengthens integration with NATO.
This measure paves the way for Finland to receive, transport and facilitate the movement of nuclear weapons on its territory within the framework of allied defense operations, eliminating a decades-long legal restriction that officials consider no longer suitable for its role in NATO.
Finnish Defense Minister Antti Hakkanen emphasized that this move is essential for Finland's security, but affirmed that the country has no plans to have permanent nuclear weapons on its territory.
The National Assembly passed amendments to the Nuclear Energy Law with an overwhelming majority of 2/3. This historic reform strengthens the security of Finland and NATO in general" - Minister Hakkanen wrote on X after the vote.
He said that this issue has been discussed for many years with allies and nuclear powers on how Finland can strengthen security in the alliance.
This vote closed the multi-year transition process in Finland's defense policy, which originated from the conflict that broke out in Ukraine in February 2022. Finland, a country sharing more than 1,300km of border with Russia, joined NATO in 2023.
Earlier this year, Mr. Hakkanen argued that the country's nuclear restrictions, dating back to 1980, no longer reflect the geopolitical reality that a NATO member faces. In May this year, the Finnish government deployed fighter jets after a suspicious drone intruded into the country's airspace near Helsinki.
The nuclear vote takes place in the context that Helsinki is also considering deeper participation in French President Emmanuel Macron's larger nuclear deterrence plan in Europe. Prime Minister Petteri Orpo has expressed interest in cooperating with this initiative, but said Finland has not yet made a final decision.
Nuclear weapons are a controversial issue in Finland. But with the latest decision, in exceptional cases, Finland will allow the import, transportation through or storage of nuclear explosives within the country.
These weapons are only allowed to be brought into Finnish territory to protect the country, or to support NATO's defense and cooperation activities.
Despite its small population, Finland owned one of the strongest military forces in Europe and focused the entire society on preparation and emergency defense. Finnish soldiers trained other Western soldiers to fight in Arctic conditions.
This month, NATO launched a new army force between Finland and Sweden, 2 new countries joining the alliance.
