Finland Prepares to Host Nuclear Armed F-35s on Russia’s Borders as U.S. Plans to Share More Warheads

Defence affairs - Def-Geopolitics

The Finnish government has lifted a decades long ban on the hosting of nuclear weapons on its territory, with the country’s parliament having approved an amendment of the country’s Nuclear Energy Act and Criminal Code a little over three years after the country’s formal accession to NATO in April 2023.

The Finnish parliament announced that this would “strengthen the security” of the country, although opponents of the amendment have cautioned that it makes Finland “a target for nuclear strikes.” Earlier this year, the Russian government cautioned against repealing the nuclear weapons ban, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov telling reporters that it could “lead to an escalation of tensions on the European continent.” He added that “by deploying nuclear weapons on its territory, Finland is beginning to threaten us. And if Finland threatens us, we take appropriate measures.”

Finland has long been considered a likely partner for a nuclear sharing agreement with the United States, particularly following a decision in December 2021 to procure 64 F-35A fighters, which are well optimised for nuclear delivery. The U.S. has nuclear sharing agreements with Germany, Italy, Turkey, Belgium and the Netherlands, and was confirmed in 2025 to have reached a similar agreement with the United Kingdom to equip its F-35A fighters. These agreements allow local forces to train to launch nuclear strikes, on the basis that should a major war break out U.S. Air Force B61 nuclear warheads stored on their territories will be provided to allow them to contribute to nuclear attacks. On April 1, 2025, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff nominee Dan Caine stated that the U.S. was ready to consider entering into new nuclear sharing agreements with more NATO members, with Finland and Poland considered leading candidates. 

It appears more likely that Finland will become a partner in a nuclear sharing agreement with the United States. Washington and Helsinki have been reported by Finnish media from 2023 to be involved in negotiations for a Defence Cooperation Agreement that will allow the U.S. to set up extensive military infrastructure in the country to facilitate forward deployments of U.S. Air Force F-35s. This could included a permanent deployment of the aircraft, which would be optimal for a forward nuclear strike capability. Finland’s strategic location near key Russian population and industrial centres, and proximity to the Arctic, makes the stationing of nuclear armed F-35s in the country a major development for Russia’s security interests. A single F-35 dropping one B61-13 nuclear bomb is estimated to be able to kill up to 310,000 citizens in Moscow in one sortie, while the aircraft have a potent capability to seek and destroy Russia’s own nuclear assets to prevent retaliation.