14 February, 2025
Finland is preparing a new military aid package, including investments in the production of heavy armored vehicles for Ukraine.
Defense Minister Rustem Umerov announced this on Facebook.
He published the relevant post following the 26th meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in the Ramstein format, which took place in Brussels.
However, the Ukrainian Defence Minister and the Ministry of Defence of Finlande have not yet disclosed any details about the armored vehicles in question or the mechanism for financing their production for Ukraine. In Finland, armored vehicles are manufactured by Patria.
Traditionally, Finland does not publicly disclose the contents of its military aid packages for security reasons.
XA-180 armored personnel carrier of the Ukrainian Marines. December 2022. Photo: ArmyInform
Only recently, on January 31, Finnish Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen announced the transfer of the 27th package of military aid to Ukraine, worth €200 million.
The upcoming aid package was announced by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi on January 22 following a meeting with Finnish President Alexander Stubb.
Aside from the fact that the package was completed in coordination with Ukraine, the Finnish side traditionally did not provide any other details.
The total value of military aid provided by Finland to Ukraine has already reached €2.5 billion.
Cooperation in the drone industry
Last month, Militarnyi reported that the Finnish company Insta Group Oy, together with Ukrainian specialists, had developed and presented a new Steel Eagle ER strike drone for the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Steel Eagle ER drone. Photo: Insta Group Oy
The drone is equipped with special ammunition with ready-made striking elements that explode in the air above the target.
The drone is controlled using FPV goggles or a handheld remote control, which displays real-time video from the drone’s camera.
Armored infantry vehicles like the XA-180 are highly valued in Ukraine. While Ukraine gets top rate performers from Finland et al, the roaches are forced to ride in flimsy cars, bikes and buggies.