Finland to lift ban on nuclear weapons imports
Mar 9th 2026
The government plans to remove a decades-old prohibition so Finland can meet NATO requirements, but says nuclear munitions will only be allowed in scenarios directly tied to national defence and Finland will not host nuclear arms; the law change is expected by this summer.
- Finland will repeal its 1980s-era blanket ban on nuclear weapons imports.
- Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen announced the change on 5 March 2026.
- Transport of nuclear munitions will be allowed only in situations directly related to Finland's military defence.
- Officials say Finland will not seek to host nuclear weapons and NATO nuclear exercises will not deploy such arms in Finland.
- Opposition parties are demanding a full parliamentary process to handle the repeal.
- The government aims to process the legislative changes by this summer and President Alexander Stubb said removing legal obstacles helps Finland participate in NATO defence