The Finnish Border Guard receives 44 million euros for procurement of counter-drone capability

The funding permits faster development of planned counter-drone capabilities.

The Finnish Border Guard is developing its counter-drone capability. In its target state, the system will be based on a fixed surveillance and response system, drone-countering equipment of the patrols, and protected vehicles and boats with counter-drone capabilities to be used nationwide. The system is being designed to be compatible with those of other safety authorities.

The Finnish Border Guard has initiated the procurement of a fixed surveillance and response system for the eastern border and the coast of Finland. The Border Guard is building a fixed system in the principal areas during 2026 with funding now granted. The coverage and drone-countering capability of the system will be developed to the target state during 2027–2029. EU funding of approximately 36 million euros, which is currently being applied for, will also be used for this purpose. The systems of the Border Guard are being designed to be compatible with the systems of the Finnish Defence Forces and the Finnish police.

A mobile, nationwide observation and response capability is an essential part of a national multi-layered counter-drone system. The Finnish Border Guard is initiating the procurement of patrol vehicles and boats with counter-drone capabilities with funding now proposed. Additionally, the Border Guard is accelerating the life cycle update of the operational systems of the offshore patrol vessel Turva. This update includes acquiring more effective counter-drone systems.

The Finnish Border Guard will also be introducing two new offshore patrol vessels with effective drone observation and response capability into operational use during 2026 and 2027.

“The government proposal accelerates the ongoing development of the national counter-drone capability. The Finnish Border Guard is utilising national and EU funding to build a system that significantly increases our ability to effectively observe and counter drones and facilitates inter-authority cooperation and crime investigation. We, together with industry partners, must have high readiness to update our technologies and methods as needs change”, says Major General Jari Tolppanen, Chief of the Technical Division of the Finnish Border Guard Headquarters.