Finland has decided to purchase defense systems against aircraft and missiles from one of two Israeli companies – the Israel Aerospace Industries or Rafael. This was announced by the Ministry of Defense of Finland on Saturday.
In October 2020, Finland sent an invitation to bid for five companies, including Diehl Defense from Germany, Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace from Norway, MBDA from the UK and the two Israeli companies with which it now intends to continue negotiations, the ministry said.
“In this plan we will upgrade the altitude capability of the anti – aircraft defense and significantly increase its interception range,” the ministry said in a statement.
The Nordic country, which is not a member of NATO but shares a long border with Russia, recently decided to increase its defense spending and deepen cooperation with the United States in response to Russia’s war on Ukraine.
As part of the anti-aircraft project, Finland plans to purchase launchers, radar systems, missiles and related integration equipment, the ministry said, adding that the goal is to make a final purchase decision in early 2023.