The Finnish Border Guard’s drone response capability advances

The Finnish Border Guard, in cooperation with industry partners, is developing patrol boats and vehicles suited for countering drones, as well as intelligent network and data solutions for them.

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 designed to be compatible with the systems of other security authorities.

The Finnish Border Guard is initiating the procurement of patrol vehicles and boats with counter-drone capabilities with funding now to be granted. These vehicles and boats will be used in national border security duties, surveillance and protection of territorial integrity and safeguarding of critical infrastructure. The Finnish Border Guard will first procure evaluation versions of the patrol vehicle and boat, their intelligent network solution and a data integration with the management systems. The solutions will be evaluated during year 2027 and the beginning of year 2028. After the evaluations, preparations will be made to procure the patrol vehicle and boat production series. The financing of the procurement will be decided by the next government.

Both the patrol cars and boats will be fitted with same the capabilities, equipment and systems. The solutions will be prepared and supplied by a Finnish–Nordic industrial consortium led by the Finnish Border Guard. The protected patrol boats with counter-drone capabilities will be supplied by Marine Alutech Oy. The equivalent patrol cars will be supplied by Saab AB, and built on the frame of the Sisu GTP. The intelligent network solution will be supplied by Nokia Oyj. The integration of data with the management systems of the Finnish Border Guard and other security authorities will be supplied by the Finnish company 61N Solutions Oy.
 
The consortium had a joint meeting today, during which the Finnish Border Guard signed a contract with Marine Alutech Oy and a letter of intent with Saab AB and Nokia Oyj. The parties to the letter of intent agreed to aim to enter into a supply contract by the end of 2026. The Finnish Border Guard already has a contract with 61N Solutions Oy.