In Finland especially, the defence sector is emerging as a crucial growth engine for small and mid-sized manufacturing companies.
The war in Ukraine exposed vulnerabilities across Europe. Finland, however, has long anticipated such risks and built one of the world’s most resilient defence ecosystems. From civil preparedness and obligatory military service to well-structured supply chains, Finland’s approach is admired globally and now serves as a model for others.
At the Danish Defence Exhibition (DALO) in August 2025, this reputation was clearly on display. European companies, including Danish manufacturers, pointed to Finland as a benchmark for equipment performance in Arctic and extreme conditions. Major defence players such as Patria are already collaborating with partners across Europe to co-develop advanced technologies — and subcontractors across Scandinavia are being called upon to strengthen capabilities, scale operations, and seize new business.
This surge in demand extends well beyond prime contractors. Precision machinery, heavy equipment, and advanced tooling manufacturers are seeing renewed investment opportunities, even amid broader industrial headwinds. For local companies, this is the moment to leverage Finland’s strong international brand and translate it into export growth and long-term defence contracts. For foreign firms, now is the right time to establish a foothold in Scandinavia, as suppliers and system integrators will be operating at full capacity for years to come.
At Nordic Industries Development we help companies capture these opportunities. We specialize in guiding both local and international firms through the complexities of the defence and heavy industry supply chains — from market entry and sales channel development to building international partnerships and expanding exports. With our deep understanding of the Scandinavian market and global industry networks, we enable our clients to turn strategic opportunities into lasting competitive advantage.
The defence sector is entering a decade of unprecedented growth. The companies that move decisively now — and align with the right partners — will define the industry’s future. We are here to ensure our clients are among them.
