Finland announced plans to lift a decades-old ban on hosting nuclear arms, marking a significant shift in its national defence policy. The move aligns Finland with other Nordic countries and could permit the deployment of atomic bombs on Finnish soil during times of war.

The country’s Nuclear Energy Act of 1987 previously prohibited the import, manufacture, possession, and detonation of nuclear explosives, a measure some argued primarily benefited Russia in a potential conflict.

NATO Membership Drives Policy Change

Finland joined NATO in 2023 in response to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The government says the amendment is essential to enable Finland’s military to fully participate in the alliance’s collective defence and nuclear deterrence strategies.

“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,” said Finnish Defence Minister Antti Hakkanen during a press conference.

Legislative Path Ahead

The proposed change will now go to parliament, where the right-wing coalition government holds a majority, making its passage likely.

While Nordic neighbors such as Sweden, Denmark, and Norway maintain policies against nuclear weapons on their territory during peacetime, they do not have legislative bans in wartime.

Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson recently noted that Sweden’s stance does not preclude nuclear weapons in “completely different situations,” highlighting the region-wide strategic flexibility amid heightened tensions.

Regional Security Context

Finland shares a 1,340-kilometre border with Russia and, in 2024, signed a defence pact with the United States permitting the use of 15 Finnish military facilities. NATO allies such as France and Germany have also announced plans to deepen cooperation on nuclear deterrence in Europe, reflecting growing concern over Russia and instability linked to the Iran conflict.