Finnish APCs manufactured by Patria are being delivered to Sweden. Photo: Patria
The Finnish Ministry of Defence has started to classify information in export licences for defence products, citing the changing global security environment. This means that from now on, data on the exporter, end user and type of weapon can be withheld upon request.
According to the Yle investigation, the first classified licence was issued in June 2021. Since then, 19 such licences have been granted to eight countries. Among them are Israel and Ukraine, which most often appear in the context of secret deliveries.
Kari Paasonen of the Tampere Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies noted that from 2000 to 2020, there was not a single export licence decision that required classification. This indicates a significant change in the policy of openness in the field of arms exports.
In 2023, Finland issued 355 licences for the export of defence products to 56 countries for a total of €667 million, a record high and more than 450% more than in 2022. The largest licences were granted to Slovakia, Japan and Ukraine.
Experts point out that the new policy may make it more difficult for public scrutiny of arms exports and raises concerns about transparency. However, the government emphasises the need to protect sensitive information in the face of growing geopolitical risks.
