In 2025, the ministry granted 479 licences for permanent exports and transfers of defence materiel. The combined value of these licences was 930 million euros, compared with 1.4 billion euros in 2024.
The ministry said the 2025 licence value was the second highest amount ever recorded. Most licences were granted for exports to European countries.
European countries received 395 licences. These licences accounted for 90 per cent of the total value of licences granted.
The ministry noted that actual exports normally take place within a few years after an export licence is granted. By country, the highest-value licences were granted to Denmark, Sweden and Spain.
Licences granted to Denmark totalled 195 million euros. Land vehicles accounted for 99 per cent of the total value of licences granted to Denmark.
Licences granted to Sweden totalled 172 million euros. Sweden’s share consisted of firearms and land vehicles.
Licences granted to Spain totalled 121 million euros. Spain’s share consisted of software and other technology related to software radio systems.
The annual report covers only commercial exports of defence materiel. It therefore does not include information on defence materiel assistance that Finland has provided to Ukraine as part of international assistance.
Finland granted 23 licences for commercial exports to Ukraine in 2025. Their combined value was approximately 57 million euros.
The total value of completed defence materiel exports in 2025 reached about 702 million euros. The ministry said this was the highest figure ever recorded and represented an increase of 241 per cent from 2024.
The three largest destination countries for completed exports were Sweden, Japan and Latvia. Exports to Sweden totalled 182 million euros, exports to Japan 107 million euros and exports to Latvia 81 million euros.
Exports to Sweden mainly consisted of land vehicles and small arms designed for military use. Exports to Japan and Latvia mainly consisted of land vehicles.
By region, 73 per cent of completed exports went to Europe. This compared with 95 per cent in 2024.
Northeast Asia accounted for 16 per cent of completed exports. The report did not provide additional detail on other regional shares in the supplied statement.
The ministry said all licence applications are assessed individually through an overall case-by-case review. The process is based on national legislation and international commitments binding on Finland.
Key frameworks include the Council of the European Union’s common position on rules for controlling exports of military technology and equipment. The Arms Trade Treaty is also among the frameworks applied.
Licence applications are reviewed by a cross-administrative working group on exports. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs is responsible for the foreign and security policy assessment.
