Finland deploys unmanned aircraft for summer maritime surveillance

Finland’s Border Guard will use an unmanned aerial system this summer to bolster maritime monitoring in the Baltic Sea, the agency announced Monday.

The European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) is providing the remotely piloted aircraft system (RPAS) at no cost to Finnish authorities. Operations will focus on the northern Baltic Sea, primarily beyond the archipelago, from June through autumn under the direction of Finland’s Western Coast Guard District.

The aircraft will support border control, search and rescue, and environmental protection efforts, according to a Border Guard statement. Commandant Captain Pekka Parkkali, a border security specialist, said the system extends operational range over open water and improves situational awareness.

Finland has used EMSA’s aerial surveillance support for seven consecutive summers. This year’s mission includes cooperation with Estonia and Latvia, with flights originating from Saaremaa, Estonia, and a support base established in Finland’s Archipelago Sea region.

The fixed-wing Flexrotor drone, manufactured by Airbus, can operate for over 10 hours at altitudes of 1–3 kilometers. Weighing approximately 28 kilograms, it takes off and lands vertically. Tasks include detecting illegal vessel oil discharges, cross-border crime, and assisting in maritime rescue operations when needed.