In response to Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine, Finland's Nammo Lapua ammunition factory is set to increase its production fivefold in 2024. This significant ramp-up, as reported by Finnish public broadcaster YLE, was confirmed by the factory's regional director, Ilkka Heikkila. The expansion of operations at the facility located in Sastamala, southwestern Finland, which specializes in the manufacture of artillery shell casings, underscores Finland's commitment to supporting Ukraine amidst the current conflict.
As a staunch ally of Ukraine, Finland has been proactive in its support against Russian aggression. The Finnish Defense Ministry highlighted its continued assistance with a recent announcement on December 21, 2023, of a military aid package worth 106 million euros ($114 million). To date, Finland's contributions to Ukraine in military aid have reached 1.6 billion euros ($1.72 billion) since the onset of the full-scale war.
In a strategic move to address ammunition shortages in Ukraine, the Nammo factory has sought to join the EU’s ASAP (Act in Support of Ammunition Production) project. This initiative aims to bolster the EU’s capabilities in ammunition and missile production. Success in this endeavor could lead to the establishment of a new facility dedicated to artillery shell manufacturing, contingent upon financial backing from the Finnish government, as noted by YLE.
Nammo (Nordic Ammunition Company), a joint venture between Norway and Finland, is renowned for its expertise in ammunition production, with ownership shared equally between Norway’s Trade and Industry Ministry and Finnish defense corporation Patria.
In light of Finland's recent NATO membership in March 2023 and heightened security concerns, the country has been enhancing its defensive measures. This includes a bilateral defense cooperation agreement signed with the U.S. on December 18, 2023, which fortifies the defense relationship between the two nations and grants the U.S. access to various Finnish military facilities.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken remarked on Finland's historical resilience against Russian incursion, drawing parallels to the current situation in Ukraine. "Finland knows almost better than anyone what is at stake for Ukraine. In 1939, the Finns also faced a Russian invasion and proved that a free nation could put up an incredibly powerful and resilient resistance," he stated, emphasizing the enduring spirit of freedom and resistance shared by Finland and Ukraine.
