Tampere emerges as a leading Finnish hub for defence and dual-use technologies

Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen told a meeting at Business Tampere’s Kalevantie premises that the Tampere region ranks among Finland’s leading centres for defence and dual-use technologies following visits to local companies.

After meeting company representatives and regional stakeholders, Häkkänen said the area's growth is being driven both by firms expanding abroad and by new market entrants. “Without any flattery, Tampere is among the very best in Finland when it comes to defence technology,” he said, and urged companies to provide the full development chain — from prototypes to finished products.

He singled out Ukraine as a natural cooperation market: “If Ukrainians are satisfied, the product definitely works. I know that Finnish technology is trusted.”

Harri Ojala, CEO of Business Tampere, said security and defence are top priorities and pointed to early moves by Ukrainian firms, such as Sine Engineering, to set up in the region.

About six companies attended the meeting. FYC of Pirkkala, which manufactures composite products for defence and security customers, reported healthy demand and plans for growth; CEO Sanna Aho highlighted the availability of skilled labour in Pirkanmaa as a key competitive advantage.

Higher education representatives also took part. Tampere University President Keijo Hämäläinen said the region is well placed to build a competence cluster in semiconductors, photonics, mobile machinery and the space economy, noting that many technologies continue to advance even after conflicts end.