# Finland and Ukraine sign drone cooperation agreement

- Source: Nordic Defence Sector (https://nordicdefencesector.com)
- Canonical URL: https://nordicdefencesector.com/en/article/finland-and-ukraine-sign-drone-cooperation-agreement
- Published: 2026-09-24 · Updated: 2026-09-30
- Author: Daniel Trangeled
- Type: News · Country: finland
- Language: en (original)
- Also available in: de (https://nordicdefencesector.com/de/article/finland-and-ukraine-sign-drone-cooperation-agreement.md), dk (https://nordicdefencesector.com/dk/article/finland-and-ukraine-sign-drone-cooperation-agreement.md), es (https://nordicdefencesector.com/es/article/finland-and-ukraine-sign-drone-cooperation-agreement.md), fi (https://nordicdefencesector.com/fi/article/finland-and-ukraine-sign-drone-cooperation-agreement.md), fr (https://nordicdefencesector.com/fr/article/finland-and-ukraine-sign-drone-cooperation-agreement.md), it (https://nordicdefencesector.com/it/article/finland-and-ukraine-sign-drone-cooperation-agreement.md), no (https://nordicdefencesector.com/no/article/finland-and-ukraine-sign-drone-cooperation-agreement.md), pl (https://nordicdefencesector.com/pl/article/finland-and-ukraine-sign-drone-cooperation-agreement.md), sv (https://nordicdefencesector.com/sv/article/finland-and-ukraine-sign-drone-cooperation-agreement.md)
- Primary source: https://defmin.fi/en/-/finland-and-ukraine-sign-drone-deal-to-boost-their-defence-and-security-cooperation#f0b7371c
- Tags: finland, ukraina, drone deal, patria, general cherry, alexander stubb, volodymyr zelenskyy, drone technology, defence cooperation, antti häkkänen, petteri orpo, ukraine, finnish defence ministry, ukrainian defence ministry

> Finland and Ukraine signed a Drone Deal agreement in New York, establishing a framework for defence cooperation covering technology transfer, joint R&D, and drone manufacturing. The deal also supports Finnish company Patria's plans to launch drone production domestically in partnership with Ukrainian manufacturer General Cherry.

![President of Finland Alexander Stubb and President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed an agreement on enhanced defence and security cooperation between Finland and Ukraine on 23 September in New York.](https://imagedelivery.net/XO8UY-c6-LfWgEjQsN8IQw/0951c139-8156-4782-b905-3347052b0200/public)
*President of Finland Alexander Stubb and President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed an agreement on enhanced defence and security cooperation between Finland and Ukraine on 23 September in New York. · Emmi Syrjäniemi, Office of the President of the Republic of Finland*

**Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy [signed an](https://defmin.fi/en/-/finland-and-ukraine-sign-drone-deal-to-boost-their-defence-and-security-cooperation) Agreement on Enhanced Defence and Security Cooperation in New York on 23 September. The agreement falls under the Drone Deal format. It sets a framework for defence materiel cooperation between the two countries.**

According to Finland's Ministry of Defence, the agreement covers technology and knowledge transfer, joint research and development, and joint manufacturing and development of drone technology. It is also meant to simplify export authorisations, the Ministry said.

"This agreement will open significant opportunities for both the Finnish defence industry and for strengthening Ukraine's defence capability," said Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen.

Zelenskyy proposed the agreement to Prime Minister Petteri Orpo when they met in Armenia in early May. The Finnish Ministry of Defence led the negotiations over the summer and early autumn.

"This new agreement both supports Ukraine's defence and is a concrete step towards preparing Finland's defence industry and defence forces for a new, more technologically sophisticated era of warfare," Orpo said.

The agreement comes a month after Finland's Patria and Ukrainian drone manufacturer General Cherry signed [a letter of intent](https://nordicdefencesector.com/en/article/patria-initiates-cooperation-with-ukrainian-drone-manufacturer) on drone production in Finland, as previously reported by NDS.

"The agreement signed by Finland and Ukraine is an important step also for Patria and our objective to initiate drone production in Finland in collaboration with General Cherry," [said](https://www.patriagroup.com/newsroom/news/2026/finland-and-ukraine-sign-drone-deal-to-boost-their-defence-and-security-cooperation) Mikko Leino, Executive Vice President of Patria's Defence and Weapon Systems business area.

## FAQ

**What does the Finland-Ukraine drone cooperation agreement cover?**

The agreement covers technology and knowledge transfer, joint research and development, and joint manufacturing and development of drone technology. It also aims to simplify export authorisations, according to Finland's Ministry of Defence. Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen said it opens opportunities for both Finland's defence industry and Ukraine's defence capability. Last fact-checked: 2026-09-24.

**When and where did Stubb and Zelenskyy sign the drone deal?**

Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed the Agreement on Enhanced Defence and Security Cooperation in New York on 23 September. It falls under the Drone Deal format. Zelenskyy had proposed the agreement to Prime Minister Petteri Orpo in Armenia in early May. Last fact-checked: 2026-09-24.

**Which companies are involved in Finland's planned drone production with Ukraine?**

Finnish company Patria and Ukrainian drone manufacturer General Cherry are collaborating to initiate drone production in Finland. Mikko Leino, Executive Vice President of Patria's Defence and Weapon Systems business area, called the agreement an important step toward that goal. The two companies had already signed a letter of intent in August. Last fact-checked: 2026-09-24.

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