There are still differences in Europe in how quickly and determinedly countries respond to defence and security issues, says Patria’s President and CEO Panu Routila.

Finland’s defence industry turned over more than €4bn last year, up around 40%. The sector aims to reach €12bn by 2030, potentially lifting direct employment from 15,000 to 40,000 and indirect jobs from 35,000 to 100,000. Patria executive Jussi Järvinen believes even these targets may be too modest. Reaching them will require faster export growth, access for new entrants and stronger government support for industry.

The war in Ukraine has cut defence technology development cycles to months, sometimes weeks. Yet in Finland and elsewhere in Europe, promising ideas can wait years for procurement decisions, industrial investment and military deployment. Faster decisions, shared industrial risk, funding for trials and closer cooperation could break the logjam.

A defence company must be able to deliver products and services to its customers even in exceptional circumstances. Patria strengthens security of supply by building disruption-resistant supply chains and safeguarding continuity of production.

Suvi Minkkinen returns Finland to the Olympic medal podium in biathlon. Outstanding performances are driven by the national team’s systematic approach, which Patria has supported for many years.

At a military testing area in Finland, a Patria AMV armoured vehicle moves under remote control. The operators, however, are not sitting nearby. They are in Tokyo, roughly 7,800 kilometres away, steering the vehicle through a secure connection that brings together vehicle autonomy, 5G connectivity and real-time situational awareness.