🇫🇮 Pioneering Team Finland collaboration showcases Finnish defense technology at Avalon 2025

The Finnish delegation’s participation in Avalon 2025, Australia’s leading aerospace and defense exhibition, marked a strategic milestone in Team Finland’s efforts to promote Finnish defense technology exports in the region.

A market study conducted by Business Finland in December 2024 revealed that Finnish companies possess key strengths aligned with Australia’s future defense procurement needs – particularly in situational awareness, space-based intelligence, simulation training, and modular protection solutions. These findings align with Australia’s Defense Strategic Review (April 2024), which outlines IIP procurement priorities such as protection and support systems, tactical mobility, cyber capabilities, and space-based intelligence – areas where Finland offers competitive, field-tested solutions.

Team Finland boosts visibility – Finnish solutions presented to global industry leaders

In January 2025, the webinar ‘Australian Defence Market Opportunities’ attracted 120 participants from Finnish defense and tech companies, laying the groundwork for a successful presence at the Avalon Airshow, the largest event of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere.

The Team Finland delegation – organized by Business Finland and the Embassy of Finland in Canberra, and supported by Business Finland’s Defense and Digital Resilience program – included five companies: ICEYE, Kuva Space, Varjo Technologies, KT-Shelter, and Nokia Space & Defence. These companies showcased their expertise to the Australian Defence Force, government agencies, and major industry players such as Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, BAE Systems, Rheinmetall, Boeing, Babcock, and Gilmour Space. Over three days, the delegation held 122 targeted meetings.

“It felt truly pioneering to lead the first Finnish delegation to Avalon, where all major defense players were present. The Finnish companies came well-prepared and clearly presented their offerings, making the meetings highly productive. The program prepared by Business Finland was excellent, as was the follow-up. I was proud to lead this delegation,” says Arto Haapea (in photo), Finland’s Ambassador to Australia.

One of the participating companies, Varjo, a developer of advanced VR headsets, sees Australia as a highly promising market, especially for defense simulation. Varjo already has local partners and plans to expand its presence in the region.

“Team Finland provided outstanding support for our participation. They ensured that all companies were well-informed, well-prepared, and equally visible. Without the support of Team Finland and Ambassador Haapea, I doubt Australian companies would have engaged with the Finnish delegation to the same extent,” tells Lasse Tuominen, Sales Director at Varjo.

“We plan to continue building on the relationships initiated at Avalon, with support from Team Finland. We also just released a documentary featuring our customers, including the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) using our medical simulation technology.”

What’s next – More to come

“Avalon was not a one-off event, but the launchpad for long-term defense export development in new markets. Many discussions are ongoing, and negotiations are progressing with customers and potential partners in Australia and nearby regions. New Zealand’s recently published defense capability assessment also opens new opportunities for Finnish companies. A new market study is underway and will be published by August 2025,” says Aku Valta, Senior Advisor at Business Finland.

“The participating companies have expressed interest in leveraging Team Finland’s support across the Asia-Pacific region. Follow-up visits have already taken place, and new initiatives are in the works. Upcoming events include IAC 2025 (September–October) and Indo Pacific 2025 (November), both in Sydney. Planning for the Indo Pacific delegation is already underway, with a special focus on naval and maritime sectors – though all industries will be well represented.”

Interested in joining the next Team Finland visit to Australia?

Contact

Aku Valta
Business Finland
aku.valta (at) businessfinland.fi

Originally published on 29 May by Business Finland.

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