Defence Properties Finland’s half-year report: investments strengthen Finland’s defence capability
The biggest total project is the construction of the F-35 fighter infrastructure, which has progressed to plan and has remained within the cost limits drawn up. Infrastructure projects are at the construction phase at the Finnish Air Force bases in Rovaniemi, Siilinjärvi and Tikkakoski.
“We have received positive feedback from our international partners on our ability to build challenging infrastructure in accordance with the F-35 aircraft manufacturer’s strict requirements and on schedule. Cost control has been exceptionally successful by international standards. Our technical solutions and ability to provide shelter for the aircraft have been considered as advanced,” says Matias Warsta, CEO of Defence Properties Finland.
Eligibility to apply for NATO co-financing for the construction of F-35 fighter infrastructure
Defence Properties Finland has supported the Finnish Defence Administration in preparing funding applications for the NATO Security Investment Programme (NSIP). NATO has approved almost the entire Finnish F-35 infrastructure construction programme as eligible for NSIP funding. This means that other NATO member countries will pay part of the construction costs, because the capabilities of the F-35 fighters will be used by the alliance in addition to national use. The amount of funding will be specified later.
The savings targets set for Defence Properties Finland for this year are progressing well. Efficient project management of investment projects has already saved some €14 million. The basic idea of the project management model is to determine solutions in cooperation with customers that can be used to implement facility requirements as rationally as possible and minimise costs. In addition, it has been possible to save €15 million in Defence Properties Finland’s procurements.
Defence Properties Finland has continued to develop preparation and preparedness to respond to the tense security situation. The focus of the measures has been on the shelters used by the Finnish Defence Forces. The development of shelters is the second largest investment after the F-35 infrastructure.
Defence Properties Finland has also increased its own preparedness capability and expertise by participating in several Finnish Defence Forces’ exercises during the spring and organising its own preparedness exercises and training events.
New strategy period to begin next year
During the first half of the year, Defence Properties Finland prepared a new strategy for 2026–2029. Both Finnish Defence Forces personnel and the unincorporated state enterprise’s own staff extensively participated in the preparation of the strategy. The Board of Directors of Defence Properties Finland adopted the strategy on 14 May. The strategy will continue to be cascaded down during the autumn.
“The main objective of the strategy is to achieve a verified level of operational wartime capability during the strategy period to meet the needs of the Finnish Defence Forces in emergency conditions in all agreed locations,” Matias Warsta says.
Defence Properties Finland’s revenue in the first half of the year was €185.1 million, and the result was €6.6 million.
For more information:
Matias Warsta, CEO, tel. +358 294 831 000, firstname.lastname@puolustuskiinteistot.fi
