Despite Finland's frequent public criticism of Israel, a sizable delegation from the Israel Defense Ministry (IMoD) traveled to the Nordic country for a key defense industry seminar.

This week, the IMoD's International Defense Cooperation Directorate (SIBAT) headed a group of 32 Israeli defense firms at the second Finnish-Israeli Defense Industry Seminar.

Held in Helsinki, the capital, the delegation was guided by SIBAT Director Brig.-Gen. (res.) Yair Kulas.

Representing Israel's broad defense sector, participants specialized in areas like air defense, unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and counter-UAS technologies, border security, autonomous platforms, advanced munitions, command-and-control (C2) systems, communications, electro-optical technologies, homeland security (HLS), and cyber intelligence.

The group featured seven emerging defense tech startups from the ministry's Directorate of Defense Research and Development (DDR&D) Mafat for Startups (MFS) initiative, alongside established players such as Israel Aerospace Industries, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, Elbit Systems Tomer, UVision, Xtend, TSG, and Aeronautics.

About 30 Finnish defense companies joined the event, which was co-hosted by the Finnish Ministry of Defense and the Finnish Defense and Aerospace Industries Association (PIA). Defense and Tech by The Jerusalem Post has learned that attendees included Finland's deputy chief of staff, the defense procurement administration head, and defense industry association chair Tuija Karanko.

Spanning two days, the seminar offered structured business-to-business (B2B) matchmaking, expert briefings, regional security briefings, and innovation demonstrations.

A Defense Ministry source described it to D&T as "similar to speed dating, but for defense companies," with firms meeting at small tables for short intervals and extending discussions if a promising match emerged.

This gathering came after a comparable event in India a few weeks prior and one in Miami during Israel Tech Week, part of a series held in Asia and Europe.

"The seminar underscores the IMoD's ongoing push to grow Israel's defense exports and build stronger industrial ties with reliable partner nations," stated an IMoD press release.

It praised Finland as "a steadfast and reliable partner, boasting world-class technological expertise and a firm dedication to this collaboration."

Prominent Israeli firms already operate subsidiaries in Finland and maintain deep ties with local companies. D&T reports that Finnish purchases from Israeli defense sectors, once in the low millions of dollars annually, now reach hundreds of millions yearly and continue climbing.

Key deals include the 2023 acquisition of the David's Sling air defense system for €316 million, 2022 Spike anti-tank missiles for the army at €213 million, and 2018 Gabriel anti-ship missiles for the navy at €162 million.

Some 20 defense projects are currently active between the nations.

An IMoD official noted that air defense and counter-UAS technologies drew the strongest interest at the seminar.

"Markets matter," the official told D&T. "Finland opens doors to NATO and wider European opportunities, including manufacturers aligned with NATO standards."

Having recently joined NATO, Finland confronts a threatening Russian border spanning 1,340 kilometers and has experienced drone violations from both Ukraine and Russia, positioning it as a vital northern front against Moscow.

Earlier this week, reports indicated Kyiv plans to dispatch drone defense specialists to Helsinki. In March, Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha claimed intelligence showed Russia intentionally routing drones toward Baltic states and Finland to heighten tensions.

Last month, Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu asserted Moscow's "right to self-defense" against Finland, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania if Ukrainian drones exploit their airspace for strikes.

Like elsewhere in Europe and globally, Finland saw a surge in antisemitism after Hamas's October 7, 2023, assault on southern Israel, including anti-Israel protests, product boycotts, and campaigns to block defense agreements.

Last week, Finland's parliament overwhelmingly defeated a citizens' initiative to curb weapons buys from Israel.

"It is evident that all arms trade with Israel must cease," argued Left Alliance MP and Defense Committee member Timo Furuholm. "Relying on a warring nation that flouts human rights - with its leadership facing crimes against humanity charges - contradicts Finland's foreign and security policy." His party backed the measure.

The Defense Committee's final report acknowledged the initiative's merit but warned it could shrink procurement choices, delay decisions, undermine defense readiness, and offer minimal gains in humanitarian law adherence.

Mathilda Heller contributed to this report