The figures come as the US urges European allies to take greater responsibility for their own defence.Collage showing US- and Israeli-made defence systems purchased by Finland, including the F-35 fighter jet, Stinger missile system and David's Sling air defence system. Image: Christopher Okula / U.S. Air Force/AOP, Wikipedia Commons, kuvankäsittely: Eetu Pietarinen / YleYle News14:28Finland has spent more on defence purchases from the United States this decade than from any other country, according to data obtained by Yle from the Ministry of Defence and the Finnish Defence Forces (FDF).The figures place Finland among Europe's biggest buyers of US defence equipment, largely due to the purchase of F-35 fighter jets, the country's most expensive military acquisition to date.The Defence Forces said procurement decisions are based primarily on military capability."There hasn't been an equally competitive alternative available elsewhere," said Juha-Matti Ylitalo, Deputy Chief and Brigadier General Engineer at the FDF Logistics Command.Israel is Finland's second-largest foreign defence supplier, providing systems including the David's Sling air defence system and Gabriel anti-ship missiles.Despite the war in Gaza, Ylitalo said Israel remains "one supplier among others" when considering future purchases.While Finland also invests heavily in its domestic defence industry, advanced weapons systems such as fighter aircraft, missiles and air defence systems must largely be sourced from abroad.Over the past 10 years, Finland has purchased, or received approval to purchase, more US materiel than almost any other European country.Between 2008 and 2026, Finland's US defence procurement totals 42.3 billion US dollars, with the F-35 fighter programme accounting for around 10 billion euros. Only Germany, Poland and Turkey have purchased more US defence equipment than Finland.According to Ylitalo, Finland's procurement is in line with wider European trends.Pressure from the USThe figures come as Washington continues to press European allies to take greater responsibility for their own defence and increase military spending.The US has praised Finland as a model ally for investing in defence and strengthening cooperation with the US, while signalling that countries which fail to increase military spending should not expect the same level of American support in the future.Nato leaders are meeting this week in Ankara, Turkey, where defence spending is expected to be high on the agenda as US President Donald Trump seeks assurances that European allies are doing more to strengthen Nato's collective defence.President Alexander Stubb, Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen (NCP) and Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen (NCP) will attend the summit on Tuesday and Wednesday.