Finnish fighter pilot likely misidentified drone due to speed and visual similarities

A Finnish Air Force F/A-18 Hornet pilot may have mistaken a small Ukrainian drone for a much larger model due to their similar design and the vast difference in speed, according to Jyri Kosola, former research director of the Finnish Defence Forces.

Finnish public broadcaster Yle reports that the drones which entered Finnish airspace in late March were initially identified as the AN-196 LJUTIY model, a significantly larger and more advanced unmanned aircraft. However, further analysis revealed they were in fact Chaika (“Seagull”) drones—smaller, cheaper, and less capable systems.

Kosola explained that while the two drones share a similar structure—including a pusher propeller, twin-boom tail, and stabilizers—their size difference is substantial. The AN-196 has a 6.7-meter wingspan and weighs up to 300 kg, whereas the Chaika measures just 2.5 meters across and weighs around 4 kg. The Hornet’s high speed, even at minimum throttle, would have made it difficult to accurately judge the drone’s dimensions.

“It’s hard to assess proportions when treetops are whipping past,” Kosola said. “There’s no measuring stick in these situations.”

A comparison of technical specifications shows stark differences:

AN-196 LJUTIY
Price: $200,000
Wingspan: 6.7 m
Length: 4.4 m
Empty weight: 250–300 kg
Warhead: 50–75 kg
Range: 1,000–2,000 km
Construction: Fiberglass composite
Navigation: Inertial and satellite, possible AI routing

Chaika
Price: $500
Wingspan: 2.5 m
Weight: 4 kg
Warhead: 3.5 kg
Range: 750 km
Construction: Low-cost materials
Fuel capacity: 9 liters

Kosola described the Chaika as a “cobbled-together contraption” designed for mass production to overwhelm air defenses. Its low cost—just $500—makes it a tactical asset in Ukraine’s strategy, forcing adversaries to expend expensive missiles on small, low-yield targets.

“If fifty thousand dollars’ worth of decoys can protect a single $200,000 drone, that’s a profitable trade,” he noted.

The Finnish Defence Forces acknowledged that Air Force Commander Major General Timo Herranen corrected the initial identification during a television appearance on April 2, though the clarification went unnoticed by media at the time. Kosola downplayed the error, stating that erring on the side of caution—assuming a larger explosive payload—was preferable.

Finnish police confirmed that the drones recovered in Finland carried only a few kilograms of explosives, far less than the AN-196’s capacity.