The Finnish Border Guard was granted additional EU funding for strengthening the surveillance at eastern border

In the spring, the Finnish Border Guard was granted 23.5 million euro in additional EU funding for four projects, with which the surveillance of the eastern border is strengthened. The Finnish Border Guard was granted funding for the projects from the European Union’s Border Management and Visa Policy Instrument (BMVI).

Additional EU funding supports the long-term development of border surveillance

In 2024, the European Union granted Finland 50 million euro in additional funding for strengthening the surveillance at eastern border. The European Union’s support for Finland and the Finnish Border Guard is significant for border control and border security. Through strengthening the surveillance at eastern border, the Finnish Border Guard maintains the border security of the whole European Union, since the longest eastern border in the European Union is in Finland.

The projects that are currently implemented are the first stage of allocation of the additional funding for strengthening of the surveillance at eastern border. Along with the projects, the Finnish Border Guard’s ability to compile a situation picture and capabilities in border surveillance are improved with the additional funding. A better situation picture and capabilities in border surveillance will facilitate more efficient allocating of surveillance. 

The funded projects

In the first project, the Finnish Border Guard was granted funding for market surveys of alternatives for implementations, testing and piloting of radio-technical monitoring (RTV). The radio-technical monitoring complements the Finnish Border Guard’s situation picture. Systems for detecting unmanned aircraft are also acquired in the project. The EU financial contribution for the project is approx. 4.4 million euro. 

In the second project, the Finnish Border Guard is acquiring new radio systems. The Finnish Border Guard’s data transfer capabilities on land, at sea and in the air will be improved. The EU financial contribution for the project is approx. 8,1 million euro.

In the third project, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) are acquired. The project improves compilation of situation pictures. Furthermore, the project will improve the Finnish Border Guard’s satellite positioning systems (Global Navigation Satellite System, GNSS) tolerance to disruptions. The EU financial contribution for the project is approx. 6,8 million euro.

In the fourth project, the operative movement of the Finnish Border Guard’s patrols is improved. In total, the Finnish Border Guard acquires approximately 60 new, more modular patrol vehicles and terrain vehicles, which ensure the capability to patrol in challenging terrain and weather conditions. The EU financial contribution for the project is approx. 4.2 million euro.

Strengthening of the surveillance of the eastern border continues in 2026

The strengthening of the surveillance of the eastern border, carried out with additional EU funding, will proceed as planned in 2026. Based on the results of the current stage, the systems for radio-technical monitoring will be acquired in 2026. EU funding will be applied for this stage out of the remaining additional funding of 50 million euro.

The Ministry of the Interior’s press release on the additional funding Finland was granted
Further information on projects funded by the EU Home Affairs Fund (mainly in Finnish and Swedish)