Oulu Zone seeks NATO role as testing activities expand

Oulu Zone, a motorsport area northeast of Oulu, is expanding into research and testing, including NATO trials involving drones and security technology, Yle reports. The Oulu city government wants to develop the area into a NATO-level development and testing centre.

The area hosted its first NATO testing event during the summer, focusing on drones and security technology. Another NATO booking is scheduled for October, while research and testing activities are also expanding in other fields.

“The conditions were praised in the feedback,” said Olli Lukkari, an expert at Business Oulu.

The expansion is increasing the need for improved security systems and more systematic operations, according to a preliminary study commissioned by the city of Oulu and completed at the end of August.

Plans for defence activities and drone testing

The study proposes a separate area for defence-related activities. It could be located in a section of the wider zoning plan reserved for a shooting range, although the range has not been built.

An undeveloped area planned for a small airfield could also be developed for broader drone testing. According to the study, the airfield would allow testing to expand to winged drones that require a runway, as well as electric aircraft.

Oulu Zone’s test area already extends to an altitude of three kilometres. Organisations including VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland and Nokia are carrying out extensive drone tests there.

As NATO cooperation and drone testing expand, surveillance and access restrictions will also need to be increased, Lukkari said.

“They have to be developed so that the area remains safe and, for example, outsiders cannot enter the drone area,” he said.

More controlled access proposed

According to the study by consultancy Sitowise, a single unified surveillance system may not meet the needs of the area’s different activities. Both civilian and defence equipment are being developed there, while NATO cooperation creates a need for separate gates or access zones.

At least partial fencing is also considered necessary. Fencing, access control and security arrangements must take account of people attending recreational activities and events in the area.

Motorsport and expanding testing activities can continue in the same area, according to Lukkari. However, the study says visitors should be registered and monitored more closely if the development plans are implemented.

Oulu Zone’s motorsport track opened more than 10 years ago and is located about 30 kilometres northeast of Oulu. The area is already used by Nokia, the University of Oulu, vocational school OSAO, VTT and Digital Defence Ecosystem, a defence industry and research cluster.