For Antti Kaikkonen, ascending to Finland’s Minister of Defence in 2019 also meant ushering in a new era for Finland’s security policy as part of NATO. The Keskusta leader reflects on his pivotal four years in government and shares what €10 billion can buy you in air force gear today.
This opinion piece was originally published in ALDE Party's Liberal Bulletin in June 2025. Click here to read the full publication.
Q: What was your role in Finland’s successful pursuit of NATO membership?
AK: When Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine started, we immediately convened Finland’s foreign and security policy leadership. On 18 May 2022, just under three months later, Finland and Sweden simultaneously submitted their membership applications to the NATO headquarters. During the application process, I had very close contact with Sweden and, with the rest of the leadership group, we ensured that the 30 NATO Allies supported our membership bid.
Q: How important is NATO membership to promote Finnish security?
AK: We applied for NATO membership because we wanted to increase Finland’s security with NATO’s collective defence and security guarantees under Article 5. The preventive effect of Finland’s defence is significantly greater as a NATO member, as it is supported by the capabilities of the entire Alliance, joint defence planning and the political weight of NATO member states.
With Finland and Sweden joining NATO, the threshold for the use of military force in the Baltic Sea region rises, which increases the stability of the region in the longer term. All Nordic countries are now NATO Allies and can jointly promote security issues important to them within the Alliance. At the moment, I consider it very important to strengthen NATO's European pillar.
Q: Besides NATO membership, what would you consider is your most significant achievement during your time as Minister?
AK: The single most significant decision was the replacement of the Finnish Air Force's Hornet fleet with new multi-role fighters. The Government signed a procurement contract with the US to bring in the Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II as a replacement, the most expensive acquisition in the history of the Finnish Defence Forces.
Approximately €10 billion will be spent on purchasing a number that fully replaces the Hornets' performance: that is 64 F-35A multi-role fighters. In addition to the aircraft, the package included radar systems and weapons. The F-35 programme is multinational and the aircraft has a large user community. The system is also in use in our neighbouring countries Norway and Denmark.