Finland trains international forces to operate explosive-dropping drones

Finland’s Air Force has held an international course on drones capable of carrying and dropping explosives in Tikkakoski, Yle reports. The four-day training, organised with the European Defence Agency, brought together participants from seven European countries.

The course was the first in Finland to be held under the agency’s new programme for unmanned military aviation.

Training was provided by experienced reservists from the Finnish Defence Training Association under the supervision of permanent staff at the Air Force Academy. The course combined classroom instruction with practical flying using a Finnish Patria SKY military aircraft system.

The trainees used 3D-printed practice grenades in the exercises. Each participant carried out around 20 drops against stationary and moving targets.

After completing the course, participants were trained to account for the effect of a payload on flight, aim at different types of targets and release the payload.

The European Defence Agency programme aims, among other things, to harmonise drone training programmes and create a network of European drone training centres. The Air Force said a similar course had been held only once before Tikkakoski, and that few European countries currently have an equivalent approved training programme.

Tikkakoski to become drone training centre

International training events could also be held in Tikkakoski in the future. An expertise centre for unmanned military aviation is being established at the Finnish Defence Training Association’s Tikkakoski training facility.

According to the Air Force, the model would provide a suitable training environment for flight instructors from the association’s Air Defence District. It would also avoid tying up significant numbers of the Defence Forces’ own training staff.