What the partnership between Double Tap Investments and the IRON Cluster with Finland’s largest defence prime means

Finnish-Ukrainian investment company Double Tap Investments, the IRON cluster, and Finnish company Patria have reached a cooperation agreement. The parties signed a memorandum of understanding covering information exchange, testing, and the development of joint defence tech projects.

DTI states that the partnership is a step towards building stronger connections between Ukrainian defence-tech companies and European industry.

At Defender Media’s request, DTI co-founder Oles Khudoba explained what this partnership will mean in practice. “It will enable closer cooperation between our ecosystems, the creation of joint programmes and events to deepen Finnish–Ukrainian partnership, and allow us to speak with one voice in advancing key initiatives at the state level,” he said.

According to Khudoba, the partnership is unique because the memorandum was signed by three distinct parties that complement each other: Finland’s largest defence prime, a private Finnish–Ukrainian investment company, and an independent industry cluster. “This format reflects a new level of partnership, combining industrial expertise, investment capacity, and the agility of innovation ecosystems,” he added.

Patria manages the eAlliance programme, within which it will cooperate with the Ukrainian partners. Under the programme, the company conducts research, development, and innovation activities, and already works with more than 50 leading technology companies, research institutes, and universities. According to Oles Khudoba, eAlliance brings together the people who are effectively driving the development of Finland’s defence tech ecosystem.

Patria is an international defence technology company with net sales of €1,086.7 million in 2025. The company has more than 100 years of experience and currently produces armoured vehicles, drones, cybersecurity software, and more. In 2025, the Armed Forces of Ukraine received its Patria 6×6 armoured personnel carriers.

“The partnership establishes a framework enabling eAlliance participants to advance their cooperation with innovative Ukrainian companies within the IRON Cluster and in DTI portfolio,” explains Kari Renko, Executive Vice President of Strategic Programmes at Patria.