Antti Häkkänen: Finnish Minister of Defence

Antti Häkkänen, born on January 16, 1985, in Mäntyharju, Southern Savonia, is Finland’s 59th Minister of Defence. A member of the National Coalition Party, Häkkänen has played a pivotal role in shaping Finland’s defense policy during a time of profound geopolitical change, including the country’s historic accession to NATO in 2024.

Häkkänen holds a Master of Laws degree from the University of Helsinki (2014) and began his political career in local government, serving on the Mäntyharju town council from 2009. He was elected to the Finnish Parliament in 2015, representing the Southeast Finland electoral district, and has held several key parliamentary roles, including chair of the Defence Committee and member of the Finance and Constitutional Law Committees.

From 2017 to 2019, Häkkänen served as Minister of Justice in Prime Minister Juha Sipilä’s government. In June 2023, he was appointed Minister of Defence under Prime Minister Petteri Orpo. His tenure has been marked by a strong emphasis on national resilience, military readiness, and European defense cooperation.

Häkkänen has been a vocal advocate for increasing defense spending, committing Finland to allocate at least 2% of GDP to defense in line with NATO standards. He has overseen major procurements, including 64 F-35 fighter jets, and has championed Finland’s first sovereign satellite program for defense surveillance.

“We will strengthen Finland’s ability to counter broad-spectrum influencing, resist military pressure, and fight potential large-scale wars that could drag on for years,” Häkkänen stated in a 2024 defense report.

With a clear strategic vision and a commitment to both national and allied security, Antti Häkkänen is a defining figure in Finland’s evolving defense landscape.