Minister Ranne: Government is building security throughout Finland 

On 1 September, the Government of Prime Minister Petteri Orpo reached a decision on its budget proposal for 2027. The Government made funding decisions that will strengthen Finland’s comprehensive security and deterrence and defence in particular, and improve the reliability and resilience of the transport system. 

The Government proposed funding for numerous transport investments, most of which were already outlined in the government session on spending limits in spring 2026. The Government also decided on new projects.

The Government will continue to improve comprehensive security by proposing funding in the 2027 Budget for projects that enhance military mobility.

The Government proposed funding for the Digirail project, which will replace the current ageing rail traffic control system and ensure the continued safe operation of trains.

In addition, the Government proposed funding for the most critical cybersecurity measures through a transfer of appropriations from the budget item covering basic transport infrastructure management. 

“The Government is investing in military mobility, and these decisions increase total investment in comprehensive security to EUR 400 million. Efficient transport connections in northern Finland are critical for Finland and, at the same time, for the EU and NATO as a whole,” says Minister of Transport and Communications Lulu Ranne. 

“These decisions implement the updated Transport 12 Plan, and the joint Nordic transport system strategy for preparedness, which has identified the key cross-border transport corridors and their development needs. We are building infrastructure that will strengthen hard security,” says Minister Ranne. 

Planning for Rail Nordica expanded 

Improving cross-border land connections in northern Finland and developing routes for special transports will address the most critical bottlenecks in military mobility. 

The Government proposed funding for the following projects to improve military mobility: 

• Under the Rail Nordica project, plans are being drawn up to extend the European standard rail gauge from Sweden into Finland. The Government proposed increasing the previous budget authority for the Tornio–Haparanda–Kemi planning project from EUR 61.0 million to EUR 107.0 million. An appropriation of EUR 0.5 million was proposed for the project. The additional funding will expand planning to cover the Kemi–Oulu and Laurila–Rovaniemi–Misi sections as well. 
• The Government proposed an appropriation of EUR 7.04 million for the planning of military mobility projects beginning in 2027. These projects include, among other things, planning work related to the border bridges over the River Tornionjoki. 
• Highway 9523 (Norvatie) is a road connection in Rovaniemi within the operating area of the Lapland Air Wing and the Jaeger Brigade. The road includes a 2.5-kilometre emergency landing strip. The security level of the Rovaniemi operational site will be improved by converting the road area into a private road. The Government proposed an appropriation of EUR 3.6 million for the project in 2027 to construct a new replacement road connection. Funding support for the project will be sought from the European Regional Development Fund. The proposed appropriation corresponds to the project’s national co-financing share required to obtain the support. 

The Government decided on the following new transport projects: 

• EUR 8 million for improving main road 2 in Humppila
• EUR 6 million of additional funding for improving the junction in Teppo and the Penttilä bridge on main road 19
• EUR 1.5 million for highway 5640 between Niskakylä and Kattaalankylä
• EUR 4 million for intersections and railway underpass on main road 22. 

Digirail to improve railway safety significantly

The Government proposed a budget authority of EUR 655 million for the implementation phase of Digirail together with a corresponding appropriation of EUR 8 million for 2027.

The Digirail project is an essential investment to replace rail infrastructure in Finland. The project will modernise safety and rail traffic control systems across the entire Finnish rail network. The safe operation of trains in Finland is not possible without substantial investment in rail infrastructure. Digirail is the most cost-effective option for modernising rail traffic control and railway safety systems. 

Digirail will ensure that civilian and military transport operating on the rail network remains safe and efficient in the future. 

Transfers of appropriations to fund most critical cybersecurity measures 

The Government proposed a permanent transfer of appropriations of EUR 1.5 million from the budget item covering basic transport infrastructure management to provide centralised funding for cybersecurity exercises. It also proposed a transfer of EUR 0.8 million to the operating expenses of the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom for developing and maintaining conformity assessment of information systems, services and security-critical products. 

In line with the Programme of Prime Minister Petteri Orpo's Government, Finland's Cyber Security Strategy has been revised to respond to the changed security environment. The transfer of appropriations will ensure funding for the most critical cybersecurity measures. 

What’s next? 

The Government will submit its budget proposal to Parliament on 21 September 2026. Parliament will then approve the Budget in December. 

Inquiries 

Markus Liesegang, Special Adviser, tel. +358 295 342 042, [email protected]