Helsinki announced on March 5, 2026, that it plans to amend the 1987 Nuclear Energy Act, which currently prohibits the import, manufacture, possession, transport, delivery, and detonation of nuclear explosives on Finnish soil.
The proposed changes would allow these activities only if they are directly linked to Finland's military defense, NATO's collective defense, or related alliance cooperation such as during wartime scenarios or allied operations.
Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen emphasized that the reform is essential for Finland to integrate seamlessly into NATO's framework since joining the alliance in 2023.
"The amendment is necessary to enable Finland’s military defence as part of the alliance and to take full advantage of NATO’s deterrence and collective defence," Häkkänen said during a press conference.
He noted that Finland's security environment has "fundamentally and significantly changed" due to Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, which prompted the Nordic country to abandon its long-held policy of military non-alignment.
Finland shares the longest border with Russia among any NATO or EU member (approximately 1,340 km), making enhanced deterrence particularly relevant. The government stressed that there are no current plans to station or deploy nuclear weapons permanently in Finland, only to remove legal barriers that could hinder NATO operations if needed.
The right-wing coalition government, which holds a parliamentary majority, has circulated the proposal for public consultation until April 2, 2026, before formally submitting it to parliament. Related amendments to the Criminal Code are also under consideration.
This move brings Finland closer in line with other Nordic NATO members and reflects broader alliance efforts to strengthen nuclear deterrence in Northern Europe amid ongoing geopolitical challenges.
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