The study describes a sector expanding across company size categories, with important concentrations in the Helsinki region, Tampere and Oulu.
Its broad ecosystem mapping includes companies with different levels of involvement in defence. The total should not be interpreted as 574 dedicated defence manufacturers.
The startup segment combines companies developing military products with businesses whose technologies serve both civilian and defence customers.
Ambition meets procurement
Tesi also surveyed 110 companies between March and May 2026. Around three-quarters of respondents described themselves as strongly growth-oriented, with many targeting European and other international markets.
Customer procurement processes emerged as the most frequently reported barrier to growth. Access to finance was another significant obstacle.
That distinction matters. Greater investor interest can finance product development and expansion, but companies also need opportunities to test technology, demonstrate its usefulness and secure customer references.
The study points to the importance of a route from innovation through testing and procurement to exports. For founders assessing Finland, it offers a broader picture of the ecosystem: technical capabilities and growing ambition, alongside the commercial work required to turn a promising product into an established supplier.
