Drone defense at NATO’s external border

Vorspann Vorspann Vorspann Vorspann Vorspann Vorspann Finland is advancing the expansion of its capabilities to defend against unmanned aerial systems. The core of this initiative is the development of new, protected patrol vehicles and patrol boats specifically designed to counter unmanned systems. The implementation is being carried out by a Nordic industrial consortium led by the Finnish Border Guard. While the selection and procurement of components have already begun, initial practical tests are planned for 2027.

The border between Finland and Russia is over 1,300 kilometers long. Although it is not officially communicated this way, securing the EU and NATO‘s external border against potential Russian aggression is a significant driver of the development project led by the Finnish Border Guard. Consequently, all parties involved are indeed pushing for progress.

Intelligent network architecture

Marine Alutech is providing the protected patrol boats, while Saab is developing the corresponding vehicles based on the Sisu-GTP chassis. Saab has also already gained experience in drone defense with Loke technology. The integration of operational data into the command and management systems of the Finnish Border Guard and other security authorities is managed by the Finnish company 61N Solutions. Nokia plays a key role. The company’s defense division is developing an intelligent network architecture that enables secure, high-performance, and highly available communication among vehicles, boats, sensors, and command centers. This network forms the basis for real-time data exchange and interoperability of all involved systems. As a result, a comprehensive situational picture is created, allowing for faster decision-making and coordinated responses to complex threat scenarios.

Patrol vehicles and patrol boats will be equipped with identical sensors, communications, and counter-UAS capabilities and are intended for nationwide use in border protection, surveillance, and security tasks. The system architecture is designed to be fully interoperable with solutions from other Finnish security authorities, providing a shared situational overview.

Funding by the Finnish government

In the next step, the Finnish Border Guard will initially procure test vehicles, boats, network technologies, and system integration tools. The evaluation phase is scheduled for 2027 and the beginning of 2028. Based on the insights gained, a decision will be made regarding the series procurement, with funding being provided by the then-standing Finnish government.

Image: Copyright Saab AB