Finland builds multi-million euro counter-drone system after recent discoveries

Finland is accelerating the development of a new counter-drone system following the discovery of four drones on its territory, including one carrying an unexploded warhead, Yle reports.

The Finnish Border Guard is constructing a roughly €5 million system to detect, locate, identify, and disrupt unauthorized or hostile drones, with 90% of the funding provided by the European Union. Additional investments worth tens of millions of euros are also being prepared.

Mika Kiiskinen, head of the Border Guard’s border surveillance technology sector, said the recent drone findings—including a discovery in Iitti, Päijät-Häme, where a drone and a detached explosive warhead were found—could speed up preparations. Speaking at a drone seminar in Mikkeli, he noted that security measures often gain attention only after incidents occur.

“First, something has to blow up before people start taking it seriously,” Kiiskinen said.

Prime Minister Petteri Orpo’s government is expected to assess additional funding for drone defense in mid-April, focusing on Border Guard resources. Kiiskinen emphasized that faster deployment would require extra financial support.

The current system has limited capabilities in detecting and countering drone threats. Civilians have played a key role in reporting suspicious drone activity, such as the discoveries in Iitti and Kouvola, where locals alerted authorities.

“Residents in border areas are a valuable source of information if something unusual happens,” Kiiskinen said.

A functional detection network is critical for effective countermeasures, he added. “The sooner we have comprehensive surveillance, the stronger our drone defense will be.”