Finland classified information on arms transfers: Ukraine accounts for the largest volume of transfers

Finland has begun to classify data on its arms transfers, with Israel being one of the countries requesting confidentiality. Secret arms deliveries are often sent to Ukraine. About it writes Yle.

It is indicated that from 2000 to 2020, no decision to grant an export licence did not require secrecy.

The first licence to export weapons with a "classified" was issued in June 2021. Since then, 19 such licences have been issued for eight countries. One of the countries that has requested confidentiality is Israel. Most often, secret arms shipments are sent to Ukraine," the newspaper said.

The country's Defence Ministry explains this practice by changes in global security.

Arms export is a political decision. Almost all information about it comes from the authorities. If the authorities decide to share it less frequently, citizens lose the ability to adequately assess the actions of government leaders," said Kari Paasonen, an expert at the Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies.

The Finnish Defence Ministry explained this by citing freedom of information legislation. According to the law, documents can be classified if their publication threatens Finland's international relations or co-operation. It is also possible to withhold data that could damage the company's economy.

This change is a significant departure from previous practice, when all military export authorisations were open to the public.