US Secretary of the Army to visit Finland for defence talks
The United States Secretary of the Army, Daniel P. Driscoll, will make a working visit to Finland on 18–19 June 2026, hosted by Finland’s Ministry of Defence. The visit aims to strengthen bilateral defence cooperation and address key security issues in the region.
On 19 June, Driscoll will meet with Finnish Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen in Mikkeli. Their discussions will focus on deepening defence ties between Finland and the US, current NATO-related matters, the security situation in Finland’s neighbouring areas, and joint training and exercise cooperation. The Finnish Ministry of Defence (MOD) reports that the Defence Cooperation Agreement (DCA) between the two countries will be a key topic, with Häkkänen emphasising that the agreement "reflects the United States’ commitment to Finland’s security and lays the foundation for cooperation in times of crisis."
In addition to the meeting with Häkkänen, Driscoll will engage with the leadership of the Finnish Defence Forces and explore Finland’s defence industry capabilities. Yle notes that the visit will also include a meeting with President Alexander Stubb.
The visit underscores ongoing efforts to enhance defence collaboration between Finland and the US, particularly in the context of Finland’s NATO membership and regional security challenges.