Finland Prioritizes Ammunition Stockpiles and Drone Adaptability Amidst Shifting Warfare Landscape
As European nations bolster their defenses in response to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the perceived threat from Russia, Finland is navigating a complex shift in military preparedness. While maintaining one of Europe’s largest stockpiles of artillery shells, the country is grappling with the challenges of integrating rapidly evolving drone technology into its defense strategy.
The Enduring Value of Traditional Ammunition
Finland, alongside Poland, possesses a substantial artillery ammunition reserve, accumulated during the Cold War era. Defense Minister Antti Häkkänen emphasized the relative simplicity of stockpiling artillery ammunition and anti-personnel mines, stating, “Stockpiling artillery ammunition or anti-personnel mines is uncomplicated, it doesn’t take a lot of thought.” Financial Times
This stockpile, built over decades, remains a critical component of Finland’s defense capabilities and its support for Ukraine. Finland has committed €1.6 billion in military aid to Ukraine since the start of the full-scale war. The Kyiv Independent. A Finnish plant, Nammo Lapua, is increasing its ammunition production fivefold in 2024, directly linked to the demands of the war in Ukraine. The Kyiv Independent
The Drone Dilemma: Rapid Obsolescence and the Need for Adaptation
However, the war in Ukraine has highlighted the increasing importance of drones, both in terms of reconnaissance and direct combat capabilities. The challenge lies in the rapid pace of technological advancement, rendering drones obsolete shortly after purchase. “You don’t need the old models, right? They are not accurate or useful,” Häkkänen noted, adding that drones “might be out of date a month after you store them.” Financial Times
The effectiveness of drones is also contingent on software updates, secure communication links, and resilient supply chains. Western drones delivered to Ukraine often require reconfiguration and are sometimes cannibalized for parts due to their rapid obsolescence. Financial Times
EU Support and Frozen Russian Assets
Finland is actively participating in European efforts to bolster ammunition production. Nammo is applying to participate in the EU’s ASAP (Act in Support of Ammunition Production) project, which aims to increase EU ammunition and missile production. The Kyiv Independent.
Finland is utilizing interest earned from frozen Russian assets to finance the supply of heavy ammunition to Ukraine, including 155mm artillery shells and mortars, with a total value of €90 million. Bulgarian Military, Defense Mirror, Militarnyi. This initiative strengthens both Ukraine’s defense capabilities and Finland’s domestic defense industry.
Building a Resilient Ecosystem
Häkkänen believes the solution lies in establishing robust supply chains and fostering an ecosystem of high-tech industries, individuals, and defense administration capable of rapidly adapting to novel technologies. Germany is pursuing similar strategies, implementing new procurement methods that integrate users and developers from the outset to ensure rapid mass production of state-of-the-art systems. Financial Times
Policymakers are also addressing concerns about reliance on China for drone components, with companies like Orqa in Croatia working to establish European supply chains. Financial Times